It's always best to hire a professional to install carpet in your home, but for those who are on a tight flooring budget, DIY carpet-laying is an option. Of course, you'll need to have the right tools on-hand and have at least some experience or know-how when it comes to laying carpet, but it can be done. One of the things you'll want to be careful with when laying carpet, however, is avoiding obvious carpet seams where two pieces of carpet come together. These can be an eyesore and will detract from the appearance of your space. Fortunately, there are a few ways to avoid carpet seams (or fix them, if they already exist).
Perfecting the Alignment
The best way to prevent a noticeable carpet seam is to make sure the alignment between the two pieces of carpet you're laying down is absolutely perfect. The best way to get proper alignment is to begin by leaving the two pieces of carpet overlaying by a couple of inches. Then, use chalk to mark a "trim line" along the top layer of carpet; this line should be marked with exactly a half inch of overlap.
Using a carpet knife, cut the remainder off the top piece while being careful not to cut through the bottom one. From there, check the seam on the carpet by laying both pieces flat on the floor; use your carpet knife to trim back any remainder from the other piece until you have a seamless fit. Keep in mind, however, that patterned carpet will require even more care, planning, and precision.
Applying a Seam Adhesive
Another viable option for making a carpet seam less visible is that of using a seam adhesive that's specifically designed for use on carpet. To use a seam adhesive, start by drawing a chalk line down the center of the floor where both pieces of carpet should meet. Then, apply a wide piece of double-sided take down the center of that line. Press one side of the carpet down carefully onto the double-sided tape while being careful not to lower the other side just yet.
Apply a small amount of seam adhesive to the side of the carpet piece you've already lowered before carefully lowering the other side into the adhesive. You can then pass over the seam with a rolling pin to further secure it until it dries.
Using a Carpet Seam Iron
Finally, if you want to ensure the most inconspicuous carpet seam, invest in a seam iron. To use this, you'll need to follow the same steps as you did with the steam adhesive. However, instead of using a rolling pin to secure the carpet in place, a seam iron can be pressed along the seam into a piece of heat-activated tape.
Carpet seams can be an eyesore, but the good news is that they're always avoidable or fixable. Which method will you try to get rid of unsightly carpet seams at your home?
