Installing carpet over a concrete or tile floor
Installing carpet over a concrete or tile floor is an excellant way to make a room warmer. Carpeting will also reduce echoes and create a safer play environment for children. I myself carpeted my basement and turned a cold-damp basement into a warm “family-room” are for my children to play.
Installing carpet on a concrete or tile floor requires different techniques for holding the carpet in place than typical carpet laying techniques.
You’ll also need to confirm that the carpet won’t be damaged by exposure to excessive moisture. In high moisture environments, you’ll need to correct the moisture problem or consider an indoor/outdoor carpet. I myself used a dehumidifier in the basment which kept the area dry.
Start with a test for Moisture
It is important to avoid installing carpet over concrete that is subject to damp conditions. To test your floor for moisture, lightly tape a 2’ x 2’ sheet of plastic over a portion of the floor, sealing all edges. Leave the plastic in place for 24 hours. If the plastic has moisture underneath it, then you’ll need to seal the concrete with a moisture sealer or waterproof paint.
Use Tackless Strips
Wall to wall carpeting is typically installed using tackless strips. A tackless strip is a thin piece of wood that is pierced with small metal barbs. The metal barbs grab and hold the carpet without the need for tacking or stapling. Tackless strips come with nails pre-set in the wood. Tackless strips are installed by nailing the pre-set nails into the sub floor.
Tackless strips should be applied to the entire perimeter of the room, spaced about ½” away from the walls. Don’t install tackless strips across doorway thresholds. The barbs on the tackless strips should face the wall. Don’t leave gaps where two pieces of tackless strip meet, and don’t use pieces of tackless strip that don’t have at least two mounting nails in them.
Are you installing Carpet or Tile over a Concrete Floor?
If you’re installing carpet over a concrete floor, you’ll need to purchase tackless strips that come with concrete or masonry nails installed. This type of tackless strip usually has a “C” in its part number or will have the word “concrete” printed on it. Concrete nails are designed to penetrate and hold concrete better than standard nails.
Next Steps
Once you’ve applied the tackless strips to your concrete floor, the rest of the carpet installations should proceed normally. You’ll need to fix carpet padding in place with two-sided tape or an adhesive, since you won’t be able to staple it down.
Use a knee kicker and power stretcher to affix and stretch the carpet onto the tackless strips. Knee kickers and power streachers are available for rent.