How to Tell You Need Carpet Stretching

PORTLAND, OR – There are all sorts of different kinds of carpet. Higher pile, lower pile, shag, berber, wool… the list could go on and on. Certain people love having patterned carpet; other people enjoy a simple, solid and basic color like beige, gray or cream. For those who have kids, a multi-color, multi-purpose carpet can be nice. For those who don’t traffic their carpets often and enjoy a pleasant, clean look, white or cream colored carpets can add a certain flare to a room.

So yes, there’s definitely a wide variety of different types of carpet. It can differ in color, material, pile…the list goes on. However, what one thing does all carpet have in common?

It’s supposed to lay flat.

While the concept might be intriguing, having ripples and waves in your carpet is not good. Not only is it detrimental to the carpets itself, but a bubbling carpet can be a trip hazard for those not paying attention. So what do you do when the carpet is rippling? Some believe that the only option is to replace the carpet in the entire room. Thankfully, that is not necessarily the case.

Companies like A+ Carpet Cleaning can professionally stretch a room back into place using the correct methods and tools. This saves you the money on a complete replacement, and it is typically an easier service to arrange and manage. So how does it work?

Does my carpet needs stretching?

If you have a ripple, bubble, wave, etc. in your carpet, it likely needs to be stretched back into place.  Depending on the age of the home, carpet bubbling can be the result of age or of improper installation. The longer you wait to have a professional lay the carpet out flat again, the more damage there will be to the carpet fibers. Walking over the folded carpet over an extended period of time can break the carpet down, leaving it looking worn even after it is stretched back into place.

How does carpet stretching work?

Step one? Give us a call at 503-314-7453! We are happy to walk you through the exact process, as well as provide you with an estimate for services. In order for us to be able to provide our best estimate, we typically ask you the total square footage of the rooms needing stretched (total in the room, not total square footage not covered by furniture). Pricing can be different depending on if the carpet is laid on subfloor or if it’s laid on something else like concrete or directly on hardwood. We will also ask if there are any pillars or electrical outlets in the carpet.

Once we’ve gathered the information we need, we’ll provide you with an estimate as well as the next possible appointment to schedule.

Prior to the appointment, we’ll ask you to send photos that provide us with a full scope of the room. Typically, the easiest way to do that is to stand from the doorway, take a photo, walk to the other side of the room, take a photo, and then take any additional photos until you feel that they are a good representation of the room, where the furniture is, and where the restretching is needed. Rather than zooming in on just the ripple itself, it’s more helpful for us to have a panoramic view of the entire room, as the technician will be reviewing the photos prior to the appointment and calling you to let you know if furniture needs to be moved.

That brings us to another very common question:

Do I need to move furniture in order for you to stretch my carpets?

We will get the best stretch out of the carpets if there isn’t furniture in the room. That being said, if emptying a room is not possible, we will use the photos you send as a guide for what furniture will need to be moved and what can stay. Needed furniture movement varies depending on the job, so the scheduler will not be able to say for sure over the phone if you will need to move furniture or not. If you are unable to move furniture on your own, the technician is always happy to move furniture when he gets there. He would let you know the price of furniture movement once the photos of the rooms needing stretched are received.

How do you stretch carpets?

At A+ Carpet Cleaning, we use a method called power-stretching. Rather than just knee kicking the carpets back into place, we lift the carpet off the tack strip on the side of the room we are stretching towards. Then, the technician cuts away any excess carpet to line it up. The carpet is then power stretched into place and re-attached to the tack strip.

Will the carpet blend in well after it’s stretched?

This question is exactly why we recommend allowing us to both clean and stretch the carpets. When we don’t clean & reset the carpet fibers after doing re-stretching, often the carpet will still have the appearance of ripples because of the uneven wear/soiling to the carpet to the peak of them. We are always happy to send photos of what that looks like so our clients understand why we suggest carpet cleaning after carpet stretching.

Carpet stretching…

If you need carpet stretching in Portland or the surrounding areas, we’d love to hear from you! Not only is A+ Carpet Cleaning a local, family business, but Mike, the owner, has over fifteen years of experience with carpet repair and restretch. You know you’re in good hands! Mike has an eye for detail and a dedication to achieving great results, which is why we use the equipment, methods, and products that we use. We love questions, so even if you’re not feeling ready to get on the schedule, we hope that you don’t hesitate in giving us a call at 503-314-7453. We are open Monday through Friday, 8am – 5pm. The time of year is upon us for spring cleaning, and freshening up your carpets in your home could be just a phone call away!