• Home
  • DIY
    • Accessories
    • Art
    • Drywall
    • Lighting
    • Flooring
    • Painting
    • Tools
    • Window treatments
    • Woodwork
  • Decor
    • Closet
    • Dining room
    • Guest bedroom
    • Hallway
    • Kitchen
    • Living room
    • Office
  • Life
    • Home ownership
    • Organization
  • Archives
  • Get the latest updates
  • FOLLOW ME ON PINTEREST!
  • Get your wall prep freebie!
    Social Icons
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Hello home, girl!

making a home on a tiny budget.

09/15/2020

The One Project that I Will NEVER DIY Again

The One Project that I Will NEVER DIY Again

Being a DIYer is sort of like eating at a buffet: you want to try a little of everything to see what you like, for better or for worse. You come across the food you know you love to eat (for me, that’s crab legs). Then, there’s the dish that can either be good or bad depending on the temperature and your mood (I’m looking at you, eggplant). Finally, you come across the one food you know for certain you never want to try again (never again, coleslaw). Once consumed, there’s a visceral reaction that you never forget. Instantly, you know you never want to repeat that experience. Well, let me tell you about my coleslaw of DIY: carpet.

Warning: Some old pre-smart phone cell phone images are included in this post. Side effects may include: headache from pixelated, blurry, and dark images. I didn’t know back then I’d include these images on a blog nine years later. 😀


  • carpeted room with grey walls
    Choose quality carpet.

It was about 2011, back in the days when I was still touting my slide phone and thinking I could do anything. Actually, WE thought we could do anything – the “we” being my sister and me. My parents were long overdue to get rid of their 1970s shag carpet and got a deal on some new carpet remnants. The catch: we had to install it ourselves. In hindsight, of course you will save money in this scenario because you are only paying for materials and not labor! Forgive us; we were green and trying to be cheap.

By this time, I personally had tile laying experience, so I thought, “It’s just another flooring!” My sister is a MacGuyver, so she could help figure it out! Heck, my dad is a former construction worker and roofer! We figured if we needed brawn, we had our three cousins coming for back up. What could go wrong?

What went wrong

Unfortunately, I failed to do enough research on how to install carpet. I read all the articles and saw the step-by-step pictures. I priced out all materials and even rented the vital knee kicker tool. However, I never actually watched the knee kicker in action.

You must make sure the carpet is adhered to the tack strip.
You must make sure the carpet is adhered to the tack strip.

The time came to adhere the carpet onto the tack strip using the knee kicker tool. In 2011, I was about one hundred and twenty pounds and had, in general, the strength of a feather. I had strong legs due to biking, so I gave the knee kicker a go. I gave it all my strength and finesse to avail!

See, there is spring inside the tool, and without the strength to make it compress, you cannot stretch the carpet properly onto the tack strip.

Why does one tool matter so much?

It is absolutely imperative that the carpet is stretched taut onto the tack strip for two reasons. First, you don’t want the carpet lifting. Lifted carpet is not only unsightly, it can be a tripping hazard. Secondly, when the carpet is not properly stretched, ripples can appear. Again, rippled carpet is ugly and can be a tripping hazard under certain conditions.  

An example of rippled carpet.

I tried time after time, figuring my young knees were the ones to sacrifice on the knee kicker. Besides, I was the one who did much of the research! I was supposed to figure it out! I flailed around until my cousin stepped in and took over. Little ole me must have been one tragic sight!

I’ll never install carpet again!

My poor cousin did all of the knee kicking that fateful day in 2011. The job got done, but there were some areas where the carpet was not fitted tightly onto the tack strip. Even though I now know there is a such thing as a power stretcher, considered me scarred by the experience. I knew instantly I would never do that again!

Hire quality carpet installers. It's easier. The amount of work isn't worth being cheap.
My poor cousin. And the photo is a blurry 2011 cell phone picture.

Plus, I like my knees. Ramming my knee into a tool over and over with brute force isn’t something I want to put my body through. That’s part of the reason why I respect carpet installers so much (and construction workers in general). Quality professionals know the right technique and force needed to use the knee kicker and other tools in a sustainable way.

Key takeaways

When it came time for laying new carpet in my own house, I knew carpet installation would be the one job the honey and I would definitely be hiring out! Next, I will detail key tips for hiring quality carpet installers!

Hire quality carpet installers. It's easier. The amount of work isn't worth being cheap.
Hire quality installers.

In conclusion, I learned a lesson in my carpet installation experience. You will never know in which areas you will excel if you never try and fail. I know for certain that I suck at carpet installation, but, boy, I know I can sand and repair some doors! I would never know this if I didn’t try various projects. Maybe you’ll move ahead with your DIY carpet installation plans, or maybe you’ll heed my warning. I don’t know. It’s all up to you. Just remember, this journey is one big buffet. Decide for yourself if you enjoy coleslaw.

I hated DIY carpet installation, but you can still try for yourself.
Me, nine years ago. I found my coleslaw of DIY: carpet installation.

Thanks for reading! Until next time, follow me on social media!

-Felicia.

Related

DIY, Flooring

Posts you may like

  • How To Fill Gaps In A Board And Batten Wall

    How To Fill Gaps In A Board And Batten Wall

  • How to make a ceiling fan look better

    How to make a ceiling fan look better

  • Try this candlestick hack now!

    Try this candlestick hack now!

Want to know the next post?

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Previous Post
Next post

Primary Sidebar

Hi! I’m Felicia.
Welcome to hellohomegirl.com, my passion project about the musings of home decor, DIY, homeownership, and life. Here, you'll find helpful tips to creating your home with a lot of heart and a tiny budget.
Archives
  • February 2023
  • January 2023
  • December 2022
  • November 2022
  • October 2022
  • September 2022
  • August 2022
  • July 2022
  • June 2022
  • May 2022
  • April 2022
  • March 2022
  • February 2022
  • January 2022
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • September 2021
  • August 2021
  • July 2021
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • March 2021
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
Latest Grams

hello_home_girl

Stop procrastinating. Yup...there are lots of th Stop procrastinating. 

Yup...there are lots of things I did incorrectly in this video. Yes, I still have more to do. However, I can close the door without it sticking for the first time since we bought the house.

A win is a win!

I let all of the things that had to be perfect stop me from just completing the simplest task. Sometimes just getting something done is better than getting it perfect.

Just do the thing.

#homerenovation #motivation
I'm just too broke to do otherwise, beloved. ❤️

---

(I'm kidding mostly)
#diyhome #diyprojects #strugglebus
I want to hear from you: What is the best advice I want to hear from you:

What is the best advice you've ever been told?

Mine was a question. My mom asked me, "Why do you like people who don't like you?"

Really digging my new print in my bathroom. Double exposure shot on film. Love it. A little joy on my mom's birthday. Thanks for the guidance, Mama.
Bumped my head on the chandelier one good time and Bumped my head on the chandelier one good time and my heart fell in my stomach!

#diningroomdecor #chandelier #maximalistinteriors #westelm #cleaningup
A modest summertime moment from 2022. This was one A modest summertime moment from 2022. This was one of the most relaxing stays ever. Waking up to an unobstructed mountain sunrise was amazing. 

Hopefully, we'll visit this spot again in 2023.
Shout out to @pinterestcreators and @headspace for Shout out to @pinterestcreators and @headspace for the wellness package! ❤️♥️💕

If you were to make a wellness package for someone, what would you include? LMK in the comments! 

(And extra shout out to the folks who save sturdy and cute boxes.)

#wellnesswednesday #pinterestinspired
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Footer

About
  • Just a little about me…
Privacy
  • Privacy
Recent Posts
  • The best primer for cigarette smoke in 2023
  • 5 quick and simple ways to create a cozy home
  • How To Repot Pothos Plants For New Plant Lovers
  • Drawer Organization Ideas: Get Rid Of Your Mess Now!
Hello home, girl! © 2023. Design by Kate.