Patching carpets is a job that every homeowner will do sooner or later. Spilled liquid, cigarette embers, and the like can damage a small section of the carpet floor covering, so it's important to remove that section to repair the resulting damage. Fortunately, this job is fairly easy and only requires a little time and some simple tools.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Patching the Carpet with Special Patching Equipment and Adhesive Disk
Step 1. Measure the stained area
Use a tape measure to estimate the size of the carpet to be cut. This will make it easier for you to measure and cut the patch as well.
Step 2. Glue the tape on each outer side of the piece
Use a large piece of tape or duct tape to mark the part to be cut. Check the position of the tape layer against the line and make sure that the part of the layer that sticks out to the area to be cut is directly above the line.
- Arrange the parts that you will cut to patch the carpet in hidden places, such as under cabinets or under the bed of your bed. Be sure to set it so that it is not easily visible to others.
- You can also store extra carpet in the attic or garage to repair damaged areas.
Step 3. Remove the marked part, i.e. the stained part
To do this, use a paper cutter or carpet cutting tool to gently trim the edges of the tape leading to the stained area. Apply enough pressure to cut off the top and bottom layers of the carpet, and not hit or damage the carpet underlay. Once cut, remove the stained part.
If you are working with a carpet cutting tool, place the tool over the line surrounding the stained area. After that, attach the blade and screw shaft to the tool and start cutting by turning the screw about two to three times until the part comes off the carpet
Step 4. Measure the required patch size and cut it
Turn the rest of the carpet over and measure it according to the size of the hole in the carpet. Outline with a pencil, then cut with a paper cutter or carpet cutter.
Step 5. Prepare the carpet before patching
Slightly dampen the adhesive disc to temporarily prevent the surface from sticking. Lift the edge of the carpet around the hole and insert the adhesive disc into it, making sure that the sticky side is facing up.
- Make sure the adhesive disc looks bigger than the patch: the patch and the area of carpet outside of the hole must find a place on the disc's surface for it to stick properly.
- When the disc is sticky again, press down on the outer layer of the carpet for three to five minutes so the back side sticks to the disc.
Step 6. Place the patch on the hole
Remove any loose carpet fibers from the surface. Grease the edges of the holes with glue in one thin layer only. Then place the patch over the hole, making sure that it fits snugly against the hole. Press gently so that the bottom of the patch and the adhesive disk underneath adhere to it completely.
- Align the lines or shapes on the patch with the pattern on the carpet so that the direction of the fibers in the patch is the same as the direction of the fibers on the carpet.
- You'll only have 15 minutes to position and align the patch so that it fits in place before the glue dries and glues the patch permanently. Work fast.
Step 7. Smooth the surface of the carpet so it doesn't look like it was freshly patched
Depending on the pattern of the carpet, this can be done by running your fingers across the ends of the patch, or by using a carpet brush to align the direction of the fibers in the patch with the direction of the fibers in the carpet.
You can also use a vacuum cleaner equipped with an agitator to remove carpet fibers
Step 8. Your work is done
Method 2 of 2: Patching Carpets Using Special Patching Equipment and Utilizing Heat
Step 1. Measure the length and width of the stained area of the carpet
Decide how large the area of the carpet you want to cut, and whether the patch will be rectangular or round in shape.
Square patches can be cut using a paper cutter, while for round shapes, you can use a round carpet cutter
Step 2. Get rid of the part
Use a paper cutter or carpet cutter to gently remove the stained area. Apply enough pressure to cut off the top and bottom layers of the carpet, but not hit or damage the carpet underlay. After cutting, remove the stained area from the carpet and throw it in the trash.
Step 3. Measure and cut the patch
Turn the rest of the rug over so you can see the bottom and then measure the size of the patch, using the size of the hole. Or you can also take a piece of carpet that is in hidden places in the house, for example in the closet. Outline the area to be cut with a pencil, then cut with a paper cutter or carpet cutter.
Step 4. Wet the patch pad
Patch pads are usually used to cover the type of adhesive disk that can only stick when heated with an iron and become the part that is in direct contact with the iron. The top side of the patch pad is made of aluminum and the material used for the bottom side is a porous material. To start using it, soak the patch pad in water and then wring it out to remove any remaining water; the pad should remain wet, but no water should drip from its surface.
Step 5. Insert an adhesive pad (an object that looks like an adhesive disk) into the hole in the carpet, and place it right in the middle
Make sure it should be larger than the hole, and right in the middle of the hole. Also make sure that the material is made specifically for use with heat-generating tools. Smooth out the wrinkled areas if necessary.
Step 6. Place the patch in the hole, i.e. on top of the adhesive disk or pad
Use a carpet brush to remove any loose carpet fibers. Also make sure that the direction of the fibers in the patch is the same as the direction of the fibers on the carpet.
Step 7. Place the patch pad on top of the patch with the aluminum top side facing you
Make sure the pad is in the center of the hole and you also need to know exactly where the patch is.
Step 8. Set the iron to heat and let it sit on the patch pad for one minute
Press the iron down so that the heat from the iron travels from the patch pad to the adhesive pad through the carpet patch. Remember that adhesive pads start working when they are warmed.
- You will hear a small hiss when you touch the iron to the patch pad. This happens because the water in the pad reacts to the heat, not because the carpet is on fire.
- If the patch is large enough, run the iron through each section of the patch - as much as possible so that each section is exposed to the heat from the iron. You definitely don't want the adhesive pad to not warm up and stick to the patch.
Step 9. Remove the iron and patch pad and let it sit until the patch cools down
The adhesive on the adhesive pad will not dry until the entire carpet has cooled. After that use a carpet brush to 'sweep' the loose carpet fibers.
Step 10. Done
Tips
- If the special carpet tape isn't strong enough, you can use carpet glue to keep the patch in place. Apply about a line or two on the carpet underlay. Sometimes, this alone is enough to keep the patch glued to the hole. And please remember that the patch sticks directly to the carpet base, which means, if you ever need to replace the carpet, your old carpet patch will still be there, and it will be more difficult to remove it so as not to interfere with the overall appearance of the desired base.
- Insert a still sharp blade into the paper cutter before use. This will make it easier for you to cut the lines that have been made well and with precision, so that there is no gap between the size of the patch and the hole in the carpet.
