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Carpet Laying And Estimating Website

You may be asked by a theater or restaurant owner to advise him on keeping the floor of his premises attractive to look at, comfortable to walk on, and economical to maintain. If this happens to you, here is a check list of some common causes of trouble:

(1) Are the breadths and seams laid across at right angles to the line of most traffic, causing patrons' feet to dig into the seams and tearing them away from the adjoining frame?

(2) Has the carpet lining shifted due to improper cementing to the floor?

(3) Are the fastening holes drilled too far apart along the outside edges of the carpet area, especially at the entrance-door saddles and in the aisles, causing the carpet surface to be uneven or "belly up"? These holes should be drilled not more than 9 in. apart, if tackless strip is not specified, and preferably 6 in. apart, with 3 in. centers at entrance doors.

(4) Were the holes not drilled deep enough, or were they of the wrong size with respect to the wood plugs used, allowing the carpet breadths to shift under the slightest pull?

(5) Were the seams sewed improperly or weakened by strong kicking or stretching in laying the carpet?

(6) Has the carpet at the door saddles no binding on the edges, or is it turned under improperly, causing high ridges or humps?

(7) Is there a cross seam in the carpet at the head of the aisle entrance (in theatres) at the standee rail, which opens up easily due to the strain put on it by traffic at this point?

(8) Has the floor underneath the carpet opened up in spots, leaving sharp edges on which the pile and backing of the carpet are gradually ground away by traffic?

(9) Is moisture coming through cracks in the floor, causing carpet to be continually damp, with mildew and rot as a result?