A Carpet Installer's Notebook

Photo 1A


Photo 2A
Following are several common carpet-related questions, followed by answers that can help installers to save time and avoid frustration.



Photo 3A
Question: We get to the job site and realize we don't have any garbage bags. Now what do we do?



Photo 4A
Answer: Cut the plastic wrapper on the pad rolls in half and pull them off the roll and you will have two scrap bags (Photos 1A, 2A, and 3A). Usually the bags from the pad needed for the job will handle all of the pad and carpet scraps.

Q: OK, that's a good idea, but the plastic split at the seam (Photo 4A). Now what do I do?



Photo 5A
A: As my son Jon is doing in Photos 5A and 6A, tape the seam together and close the end, if necessary, with duct tape.

Q: But I don't have any duct tape; now what do I do?

A: Go out to the store and buy some duct tape, and while you are there, pick up some garbage bags.



Photo 6A
Q: The pad glue I use comes in a metal can, and always turns in to a big mess. Now what do I do?



Photo 1B
A: Transfer the glue to an empty plastic milk jug; use the top from a seam sealer bottle for a dispenser.

Photo 2B
The best way to seal the bottle when you are done is to take the top off, put a piece of plastic bag over the opening, and screw the top back on. Be sure to properly label the bottle. (Photo 1B). Just to be safe, I always attach a plastic bag with a MSDS (material safety data sheet) to the bottle; we don't want any trouble from OSHA.



Photo 3B
To avoid a big mess pouring the glue into the cut a water or pop bottle in half and use it as a disposable funnel (Photo 2B).



Photo 4B
Q: It's a concrete floor, and I'm 40 miles from the supply house with no pad glue. Now what do I do?



Photo 5B
A: Go to the closest hardware store, Walmart, lumber yard, Home Depot, Lowes, or carpet store, and buy a gallon can of multi-purpose glue.

Photo 1C
Turn it over, tap the glue down and push it across the floor (Photo 1C). It will leave a thin smear of glue and solve your problem.

Photo 2C
When you are done, cut a piece of cardboard off your tackless box, slide the bucket on to it, sealing the top so you can turn it over easily. (Photos 2C and 3C)



Photo 3C
Q: My iron tray is full of glue. The last time I cleaned it out while the glue was melted, I got burned pretty bad. Now what do I do?

A: Put the tray in the freezer overnight (Photo 1D). The next day, immediately after removing the tray from the freezer, drop it from about six feet high onto a concrete floor (Photo 2D). All the frozen hot melt glue will shatter, leaving you with a clean tray (Photo 3D).