January 2, 2021

How to Repair Carpet

Carpets bring a luxurious appearance to every room in your home. They absorb sound and make the floor more comfortable for moving around. But, what to do when you notice a small spill? Homeowners might feel frustrated because installing new carpet can be costly. However, carpet patching can repair carpet without removing the entire thing completely.

Carpet patching is the best solution, as it is a cheap, convenient, and easy thing to do. In this post, we explain the step by step process to patch carpet easily.

What is carpet patching?

Carpet patching is a cheap and straightforward way to fix your carpet. The process starts with carefully cutting the affected part and replacing with a new patch from the same type of carpet. When done correctly, this simple repair will remain unnoticeable. You must follow each step of the process carefully to avoid any issues.

Inspect the damage

If you want to repair the carpet, keep in mind that it only works for small and localized spots. Whether the carpet is worn out, dirty, or burned, you can quickly fix it. Besides, keep in mind that this method works best for areas under one square foot. If the spill takes a larger portion of the carpet or if there are a few spots, it is better to re-carpet the whole room.

Get the right sample

When you have already assessed the patch, make sure to find the right carpet donor. Ideally, this should be a new and clean patch of the same type. Otherwise, the patching will be too obvious. Don’t even try to replace it with the same carpet colour, as it will still be noticeable. These are the available options for you:

  • The best thing is to find leftovers from the original carpet.  If your carpet installers left you a few leftover patches, they did this with a reason. The same type of carpet will be the perfect match, so make sure to check your basement to find the original pieces.
  • Cut a carpet patch from your existing carpet. Find an area that is out of sight, such as closets.
  • Check stores to find the same carpet type. However, you need to know the exact brand and style to be able to find the right match. Try going to the store where you purchased the carpet, as they might have registered the product information in their system.

Get the tools

As for every other DIY project, you need to have your tools ready. To repair the carpet, you need simple tools, so it is likely that you already have them in your home. To remove the damaged spot, you will need a utility knife or carpet knife. To blend the fibres when finishes, you can use a carpet roller or an old comb. Also, you will need self-adhesive double-sided carpet tape to secure the donor carpet piece in place. Make sure to have all the tools and materials ready to avoid interrupting during the process.

Cut the patch

To mark the section that you want to cut out, use a sharp tool such as an awl. Mark a square, while pressing the tool between the tufts. This will separate them so that you can cut the backing. Then, cut along the marked lines with a utility knife. Don’t cut through the tufts and make sure that you cut the base. Lift the patch gently and cut if there are any strings.

Determine the nap direction

The carpet pile runs in one direction. Before laying the donor piece, you need to adjust it to meet the direction of the carpet pile. You can discover the direction by running your hands through the carpet. Then, repeat the same process with the patch. When you find out the nap direction of the donor carpet, place it next to the cut-out area. Make sure that the direction of both match up.

Tip: Keep in mind that this won’t apply to low pile rugs.

Carpet tape

Next, you need to lay the carpet tape to secure the patch in place. For this project, you can use single-sided tape to fix the problem. Make sure to cut out a tape piece with a larger diameter than the area you need to improve. This will keep the patch in place and prevent the tape from moving. Depending on the size of the patch, you can use more than one piece of tape to secure it.

Remove the backing and insert the tape into the area, so that it sticks to the carpet’s backing. Be careful, as it is challenging to handle the sticky tape. Add one or more pieces of tape to cover the affected area. For areas under four square inches, place two pieces of tape on both sides of the opening. If you don’t put the tape correctly, remove it and start all over again. If you use double-sided tape, make sure to press firmly to stick onto the floor.

Put the piece in place

When you have correctly applied the tape, it is time to place the patch. Press the donor piece firmly, and even out the edges. For this, you can use an old comb or a carpet roller. Alternatively, a damp cloth will do the job as well. Gently rub in all directions to blend the edge tufts into the carpet for a seamless look. However, don’t rub too hard, or you’ll remove some of the fibre.

Finishing touches

When you blend the patch into the surrounding area of the carpet, it is time to add a finishing touch. If you notice longer fibres that stand out, proceed to trim them. Use scissors to cut the long fibres and adjust them carefully.

Tip: Once you have done repairing the carpet, you might notice that the area doesn’t look thoroughly blended. Don’t worry, because there is an easy fix. Place a heavy object on top for two days, and you will notice the difference.