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 do carpet stretching to set 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?

Do I need carpet 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 perform carpet stretching by using 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 carpet stretching. 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!

Where did the ripple in my carpet come from?

It can be discouraging when you see a peak or a ripple forming in your carpet. More often than not, the problem starts with the installation. If the carpet wasn’t stretched in properly to begin with,  it is only a short matter of time before it will need re-stretched. This is especially the case when the carpet is not that old and yet has already begun developing ripples or peaks. Inevitably, however, carpets do relax no matter what, which results in looser carpet and ergo carpet ripples. Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for us to receive calls about homes that were just built in the past few years… and the carpet is bubbling. This is why we don’t recommend knee-kicking as a method for carpet restretch; it is a temporary solution that will often require another appointment within a couple years.

Carpet is also bound to wear as it is shifted and moved and walked on. Over time, the binding loosens and you have a carpet bubble. If you find yourself moving heavy furniture across your carpet on a regular basis, that may cause an early onset of carpet rippling or bubbling. Stairs and hallways are often the first to show signs of carpet bubbles because they are higher trafficked areas.

What do I do about the ripples in my carpet?

Call a professional business that can carpet restretch in Portland like A+ Carpet Cleaning! We know it’s tempting to look up “how to carpet restretch myself,” but when it comes to the integral parts of your home, it’s best to leave it to the professionals. Carpet restretching is not an easy task. A+ Carpet Cleaning in Portland utilizes power stretching. Our technician will first go along the wall and remove the carpet off the tack strips. They will then use the power stretcher to stretch the carpet in the whole room, remove the buckle, cut the excess carpet, and return it to the tack strip with the proper stretch. Some business will simply knee kick the carpet back in, but this is not a long term solution, as mentioned prior. We’d encourage you to research the difference.

Why should I fix the ripples in my carpet?

Maybe you’re looking at the little hill on your step and thinking, this isn’t a big deal. A ripple or bubble in your carpet can become a safety hazard if left alone–as it is often lifting the carpet unnaturally high and making it a tripping hazard. Letting your carpet sit in hills is also detrimental to the carpet itself; it is more likely to wear and tear the fibers down at the peak, leaving it to look worn if you ever have a carpet restretch done.

Will I be able to see where the ripples were after a carpet restretch?

We typically recommend letting us professional clean your carpets directly after we stretch them, and this is precisely one of the reasons why! 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 even reduce the cost of stretching when you have us clean the carpets afterwards. If you are truly wanting to restore your carpets without the bill of carpet replacement, you may be amazed at the effectiveness of a combined carpet clean and stretch. We have had many testimonies from clients now saying that they were planning on replacing the carpets, and our services saved them the money and the hassle.

Local Expertise and Reputation

When you’re looking for someone to trust to enter and improve your home, local is so important! Calling a business that has expertise in the Portland, OR area is helpful for multiple reasons. Not only is it important to support local businesses wherever you can, but a local carpet repair company is more in tune with the neighborhoods and layouts. We’ve been servicing the Portland area for over a decade and therefore have a lot of knowledge with the different areas. For example, neighborhoods are often built by the same builders. If a whole neighborhood was built with improper carpet installation, we often return to multiple homes to help stretch the carpet back into place.

It also helps to have friends, realtors, and property management companies in the area who have used the company you’re interested in and can attest to their quality. We get many of our clients from referrals, and we are so grateful to those who pass our name along.

Whenever we are looking for a company, we often use Nextdoor, which is an “app for neighborhoods where you can get local tips, buy and sell items, and more.” If you’re wanting to know who your neighbor’s have used (and are pleased with), this is a great resource for you! Nextdoor will automatically put you in a group with others who live in the same area, and will allow you to ask what companies your neighborhood is familiar with and their experience.

Experience with Various Carpet Types

Whether or not you realize it, carpet comes in a variety of materials and styles. With this variety comes the necessity to know how to handle each different type, and a true professional will be able to identify your carpet needs with you and help you know how to maintain your carpet depending on its unique fibers and piles. When looking to hire a professional for carpet stretching, make sure you ask about their experience with different carpet types. A company that has extensive experience working with a wide range of carpets will be better equipped to handle your specific needs and ensure optimal results. We have experience with all types of carpet, including wool carpets, synthetic, Berber, high pile, low pile… the list could go on and on.

Advanced Equipment and Techniques

Professional technicians come with professional equipment and techniques. It’s all part of the package deal! The right company will not only come in with experience, but will also have the correct tools to do the job right. For example, some companies will knee-kick carpets back into place using a knee-kicking tool. We power-stretch carpets, we don’t just knee kick them into place. Knee kicking doesn’t provide the best possible stretch. Our process involves lifting the carpet off of the tack strip, cutting away excess, and using a power stretcher to get the best, most long-lasting stretch possible.

In order to power-stretch carpets, we utilize a power-stretcher, amongst other tools, to make sure your carpets are handled in the best way possible. Before hiring a company, we’d encourage you to inquire about the equipment and techniques used by the carpet stretching professionals. Advanced tools and methods, such as power stretchers and heat-seaming, can ensure a more thorough and long-lasting stretch.

Customer Service and Communication

We have all dealt with the unpleasant customer service representative over the phone. If you call a company and are not treated in a warm, friendly and exceptional way, that’s a good sign that business isn’t the one for you. Extraordinary customer service and communication are essential qualities of any reputable carpet restretch professional. Here at A+ Carpet Cleaning, you’ll either be speaking with Tiki or Chantal. Both of us love speaking with new people, asking intentional questions, and getting to the bottom of your needs (and how we can help!) Remember that the person who answers the phone is a great sample of the company overall. When you make that first phone call, be sure to pay attention to how responsive and attentive the company is to your inquiries and concerns. Clear communication throughout the project ensures that your expectations are met and that any issues are promptly addressed.

For us, transparency in pricing, products, and processes is vital. Before providing you with an estimate, we make it a priority to review our entire pricing structure with you so you know how the numbers are adding up. We make sure to verbally walk you through the preparation for your appointment even though it is also on a confirmation email you’ll receive after the phone call. Overall, at A+ Carpet Cleaning, we think it is very important to leave you feeling comfortable and excited about your upcoming appointment, and what better way to do that than to get in front of any questions right off the bat!

By considering these essential factors and conducting thorough research, you can confidently select the best professional for your carpet restretch needs in Portland. When you know your chosen company is local, has experience, professional-grade equipment, and a genuine desire to help, you can rest assured that your carpets will receive the highest level of care and attention they deserve. Don’t settle for anything less than the best – choose a reputable carpet stretching professional and enjoy beautifully stretched carpets that enhance the comfort and aesthetics of your home for years to come.

A+ Carpet Cleaning – Portland
2885 NW 111th Ct, Portland, OR 97229
(503) 314-7453
https://carpetcleanerportland.com/