[andy roberts]

Hi all,

I have looked back on some past posts and have noted that CC sometimes have problems with shrinkage and/or carpet not being secured propaly to the gripper prior to cleaning. I know nothing about cleaning carpets but i believe part of your remit is to do a pre-inspection of the carpet and advice the cust. accordingly. A mate of mine who is a CC often calls me in to rectify minor problems but I have now shown and taught him a useful simple technique to securley put carpet back onto gripper, and I would like to share it with this forum.

You will need: knee kicker, carpet tucker, knife & carpet pin hammer

As most of you are aware, most domestic carpets are secured these days by using gripper, however problems can occur when the gripper is fitted incorrectly ie when it is fitted too far away from the skirting, causing the problems that have been raised. A carpet is stretched onto the gripper then cut 1/4 inch over to allow it to be 'tucked' neatly back under the gully of the gripper edging leaving a smoothedge, tight against the skirting. Job done. However, whislt working with another fitter about 6 years ago he did the above but went further by lightly 'tapping' with his pin hammer on top of the carpet (& obviously gripper) all round the edges. This left even more of a low profile smooth finish and really ensures that the carpet is firmly on the gripper. One must ensure that the 'taps' are even and with the same pressure asserted. Does that make sence?

I fit most of my carpets this way now as I believe it gives a better finish and the carpet is firmly secured on the grips. I dont know how many others do this but it works for me!

If CC adopted this method prior to cleaning I would be very surprised if the carpet would move at all. Famous last words! Just an idea - happy fitting (& cleaning)!

Andy

 

[Kinver_Clean]

I live next to Kidderminster (the carpet town, as was, is no longer, even Brintons is in Portugal or further!) and the quality of fitting I come across is abysmal. The gripper is too far from the skirting and does not do its job, and the carpet is not tight stretched with rucks and folds etc. and we moan about cowboys!

Trevor

[Jason Hedges]

Hi Andy,

Interesting post, thanks for sharing your knowledge. I've never had a problem with shrinkage (i steer clear of shrink prone carpets or use dry/sponge cleaning).

I've been asked on a regular basis lately if I can recommend a good carpet fitter. I have been recommending a guy that was fitting a carpet well in a house that I was working in. However, he has become unreliable lately and my customers are ringing me when he hasn't turned up!

I'm thinking about doing a carpet fitting course and adding it to my services. Another string on my bow if you like...........

Do any other carpet cleaners fit carpets as well?

Andy, can you recommend a training course or any advice for someone looking to get into your line of work as an add-on?

Kind regards,
Jason.

[*paul_moss]

Jason
Tie in with a carpet fitter / retailer.I have a good relationship with one where I live and we pass work between each other I give his cards to customers looking for new carpets and he gives my cards to any customers who come into his shop and ask for a carpet cleaner.
A few months ago when I was quiet I asked him if I could spend the day with a couple of his fitters.It was well worth while as I now know how to fit a carpet.
I now have bought a strecher and a few other bits so when required I can do on site refits/ stretch.

[Jason Hedges]

Hi Paul,

Long time no hear

Thanks for the advice, I've been getting a few jobs from my recommended fitter but as said before he's become unreliable. I'll get in touch with some local suppliers and hopefully strike up a deal!

P.S Any ideas how to fix a deathtrap host machine that spits sparks and flames and electrocutes me whenever I go near it

All the best mate,
Jason.

[andy roberts]

Hi all,

Not to dampen your spirits, but it took me approx. 5 years to learn selling/measuring/planning/estimating/fitting of carpets. Like cleaning carpets there are alot of technical things to remember and alot of techniques to come to terms with especially when faced with joins, cross joins, bullnoses, winders, open plan stairs, pattern matching etc etc.

Jason, if I were you, I would seek out a good established fitter in your area and ask him if he would share his knowledge and practical skills with you. Go on jobs with him and learn first hand. The hardest part about fitting is preparing the floor and getting the carpet in the room and laid out, so be prepared for some back breaking work! You may not become a 'professional' in a month but you may be able to engage in re-daption work and simple stretching, tucking and fitting naplocks. Go for it mate, the more you can do the more money you can make and you won't have to keep calling on unreliable fitters all the time. Incidently, most fitters dont like fitting second hand/used carpets for obvious reasons, hence the reason for letting you down. Let me know how you get on and good luck mate!

Paul, its good you've picked it up so quick. I hope I'll be able to pick up CC as quick, if not I'll be on here all the time asking for your advice. Found this site only a few days ago and its gonna be a great assest for advice. Good to know what other guys are up to too. All the best,

Andy.

[Dave_Lee]

I fit carpets as well. I do not use a pin hammer to force the carpet into contact with the gripper pins, I run the flat side of a stair fitting tool (resembles a blunt stainless polished bolster chisel) along the top, pressing down as I do so. Of course as well as making sure suspect carpets are well secured to the gripper, it is as well to make sure the gripper is secured properly to the floor.
Dave.

[Steve Barnett]

If you hit the carpet with a tack hammer you risk flattening the pins which are set at the correct angle to hook the carpet onto. There is no substitute for correct stretching techniques and correct gripper placement / fixing. Training is available via the N.I.C.F and the rest comes from experience just like carpet cleaning.

I have been supplying and fitting carpets for 25 years and cleaning carpets for 10 - trust me neither one of them can be done properly by a novice and they cannot be done properly with the mickey mouse tools currently being sold by DIY shops.

Sorry, rant over - its been bloody hot today !!