Do i really need a carpet stretcher or could i just use a knee kicker to install carpet?

Question

three rooms largest room is 15 x 15

Answer 1

a knee kicker should be good enough for that size room

Answer 2

it perhaps would depend on how many rooms you're carpeting?

diy or pro? do you do it for a living?

well, 3 rooms, 15 feet? .. a knee kicker would do

Answer 3

If you've never done it, once will be enough.

Take a long vacation after and let your knees heal.

75 yards of carpet is a good days work for an experienced mechanic.  I don't know how long it may take you with recovery time in between.

If you bust a knee, how much will a doctor cost?

How much kick can you give the kicker?

Can you pull your knee back about 3 feet and give it h**l?  Without letting the kicker skid across the carpet?  That'll take some yarn out and you' may have a nice bald spot.

If you use a power stretcher, do you know how much tension to use?

You may have a nice new tear in the carpet.

Do you know anything about stretching?  Do you know how to begin on a diagonal and work the wrinkles out along each wall?  You need a kicker, even if you use a stretcher.

Can you finish off doorways and /or seam two together?  Do you have tape and an iron?  And not burn the tape or the carpet?  This can be hazardous to carpet.

Do you know how to use a wall trimmer without scarring your walls?

Can you be sure there are no wrinkles left, and it's stretched tight?

Look.  Don't you think there's a reason why professional mechanics earn what they get paid?

They've paid their dues to learn their trade.

Screwed up installations cost a helluva lot more than an original one.

Please!  Protect your investment.  Carpet today is not cheap.

Answer 4

I have to agree in part with ED. If you are a novice at this, you may not end up disabled, but you'll never forget that you did it,,, whether or not you're successfull.

   The knee kicker is pretty standard, and I'm still walking after years of applications. If you have doubts get/rent, a stretcher. The only difference in the task will be on your knees. The job will still require accuracy, as well as other labor to do a decent install.

   I have a Kicker with a 3 inch thick, substantial pad on it, and adjustable teeth, and I never worried about it slipping, when used properly. I also wear thick knee pads, and don't do this kind of work often.

  One of the things you can do, is lay out the carpet, one room at a time, make your measurements and cuts that you should before hand, then when ready, wearing a decent pair of TREADED shoes/boots/"Sneakers"  Hop and kick, toward the perimeters, stretch the carpet until you feel it is relatively OK, then use the knee kicker for the finish work.

  I suggest, with no offense to anyone, the best installers on the planet, can do a great job, leave your house, and somewhere, almost anywhere you can grab the carpet piling and feel some minor pull up/flex.

  In that regard, and  with any carpet, one should not drag that 300 lb. sofa to a place where it fits,,, too often.

  I want to assume this may be the same carpet in all 3 rooms, so give your knee a break between rooms. You'll definitely know the next morning, whether or not you feel like going at it again, immediately.

Steven Wolf

Just my two "sense"

Answer 5

I started carpeting my upstairs recently by myself. Not half as easy as it seems like it would be to do.

Honestly, take advantage of some of the recent deals they have at Lowe's and Home Depot. I think it's $99 or $199 to install carpet in the entire house. I believe that only applies if you are ordering the carpet from them though.

If you already have the carpet then I would suggest a stretcher but you will still need all the other tools too like the kicker.

Don't forget a good pad too.

Answer 6

a knee kicker should be fine until maybe 6 months or a year after you have installed.........then the puckers start to show up..........knee kickers are only use to get the carpet in place and to fasten the carpet to the adjacent wall that you stretch..........If you really want the carpet done correctly,trust me, hire a professional....