How to Fix Damage to Carpeting

At a time when engineered stone and laminate materials are becoming very popular flooring options, homeowners with worn-out or damaged carpets are more likely to consider replacement, but this doesn’t always have to be the case. Carpeting materials are more resilient than most people think. Homeowners can handle a few fixes on their own, and retaining a professional to repair a larger section will cost substantially less than full replacement. Here are some tips on how you can repair damaged carpet.

Wet Carpet
If you live in a coastal area such as Oceanside, carpet is much more likely to get wet. The potential for a soaked carpet is one of the major drawbacks of choosing this particular flooring material, but it can be remedied if you act quickly. If the entire room is soaked, the appropriate course of action is to drain, dry, and pull out the carpet, starting at the tack strip on the walls. The goal is to eliminate the wet pad, which will never recover. You may be able to save the carpet by exposing it to sunlight, if possible, and letting it air dry. You may need to scrape off the pad if it’s stubbornly stuck to the sub-floor. Keep a piece of the damaged pad to determine thickness. Installing a new pad is something contractors will handle, and they will clean out the carpet you saved to complete the repair.

Crushed Carpet
Restoring crushed carpet is an easy fix that doesn’t require cutting or removal. Carpeting that has been crushed under the weight of furniture can be restored with water and a hair dryer. The crushed section should be spritzed, but not to the point of creating a wet spot. As you blow-dry the spot, use your fingers to lightly brush and pull up the fibers. You can also use a hairbrush, but don’t put too much force into it. You may have to repeat the process a couple of times.

Burns
Those unsightly cigarette burns won’t disappear with regular carpet cleaning. If the fibers have melted into black clumps, they need to be removed and replaced. Cutting out the burned fibers can be accomplished with small scissors or nail clippers. Replacement fibers can be obtained from unseen spots under furniture or in closets. The best approach is to dig deep when cutting. Carpet fibers can be attached with clear glue, but be very careful when applying the tiny drops.

Ultra-Stubborn Stains
If you’ve tried various kinds of stain-removing substances to no avail, you can try the fiber replacement described above or else replace the entire section. Circular carpet patches are easier to conceal. You can get a piece from a closet and cut it right on top of the stained section to remove it. Pay attention to the direction of the grain when you align the replacement piece, which can be attached with double-sided carpet tape. The edges can be concealed by brushing the fibers.

Carpet can last a long time, especially if you know how to repair sections when necessary. Follow the tips above to keep your carpet looking good for years to come. If you decide you’d like to remove your carpet and replace it with another material such as laminate or hardwood flooring, it’s a good idea to leave it to the experts who know all about floor installation. San Diego County homeowners can count on the flooring experts from Unique Flooring to do the job right the first time. Call us at 760-454-1436 to arrange a free in-home estimate.