Replacing Damaged Sections of Carpeting

If you're reading this article, then chances are you are looking for the easiest, least-expensive, and best way to replace damaged sections of carpeting. It doesn't really matter what caused the damage, since you have reached the point where you know that your only alternative is to cut away the damaged sections and replace them with undamaged sections. The first thing you'll need to do is find a remnant or leftover piece of the same carpeting that you're replacing. Hopefully, you have saved leftovers from when your carpet was laid. However, if the carpet was already laid before you moved into the house, check the attic, basement, garage, or utility closet for carpet remnants. If you can't find any remnants, you can take a picture of your existing carpet to your local carpet store or warehouse, and have a knowledgeable staff member help you match a remnant to your existing carpet. Once you've got a remnant that matches your carpet, follow these guidelines to replace the damaged sections of your carpeting. You can find all of the tools you'll need at your local carpet, home improvement, or hardware stores.

1. Cut away. Using a utility knife, cut away the entire damaged area of carpet. Take care not to cut through the carpet padding beneath. Try to cut a circle or triangle, and not a square or rectangle. Experts agree that the eye is drawn to square and rectangle patterns more often than circle and triangle patterns. Since the new section of carpet may not completely blend in with the old, you'll want to make the new section as inconspicuous as possible.
2. Create a pattern. Place the damaged piece onto the new carpet section and use it as a pattern to cut the replacement piece, making sure to match the pile direction.
3. Tape and glue it down. Place double-sided carpet tape onto the back of the new carpet section, and then spread carpet glue onto the exposed carpet padding, and around the edges of the existing carpet where you'll place the new piece.
4. 4 Place it. Push the new piece of carpet into place, and then gently tousle the pile of the old with the new.

Allow the glue to dry for at least eight hours, taking care not to walk on the area during the curing time. Place a very heavy object on top of the patched carpet, making sure that you place a clean cloth between the object and the carpet.