To do a job right, you need the right tools for the job. At no time is this more true than when you've decided to lay down the carpeting in your Thornhill real estate. In other tasks you can get away with a bit of fudging and mistakes, but if you misjudge while laying the carpet all your guests will be able to see exactly where you went wrong. To keep yourself out of this embarrassing position, don't try to save money by "making do" with similar tools to the ones you need. Use the real deal, every time.
Tools to Buy
Some of the following probably lying around your house already (or are lying around your neighbors' Etobicoke houses) so you can beg or borrow most of these items. Make sure you have: a measuring tape, tackless strips, a utility knife, seam tape, a chalk line, a heavy duty stapler, a hammer, and a rolling pin. To protect yourself while you're working, you'll probably also want to pick up some safety glasses, work gloves, and maybe even some knee pads.
Tools to Rent
You'll also need some extra tools that are prohibitively expensive for the owners of average sized homes in Markham to afford. You'll only want to buy them if you're thinking of setting yourself up in the carpet installation business. Otherwise, rent the following: a seam cutter, a seaming iron, a seam roller, a knee kicker, a power stretcher, a wall trimmer, and a strip cutter. You can do the job without them, but it will be more difficult and probably won't look as good.
Tool Usage Tips
Read the instructions for every tool that you rent, buy, or borrow for laying down your carpet. Too many Newmarket homes have been ruined by do it yourselfers too proud to read the directions. If you're not sure what the tool is or what it looks like, ask the employees at the store. They will be only too happy to help. Not doing so can result in you buying the wrong tool for the job.
If you've never used a particular tool before, don't just settle for reading the instructions. Get a book on how to lay down carpet with that tool, or go on YouTube and look for a demonstration video. You could also call over a friend who has previously used the tool (successfully) in his Scarborough condo. At the very least, do a few practice cuts, glues, or stretches with scraps before you attempt the real thing.
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