Tips for Repairing a Loop Pile Carpet

However careful you are, accidents happen; but if you’re a nifty DIY enthusiast then much of this damage can be repaired. It’s always best to consult a professional carpet supplier when damage occurs but here are a few basic tips and tricks to help you if you decide to make the repairs yourself.

Snags

If you have a small snag in your carpet the quickest and easiest way to fix it will be to simply cut it off. Don’t pull any snagged fibres but cut them cleanly with scissors, as low down as possible. Try not to do this on large snags as it may leave bald patches.

Once you’ve cut the snagged loop down to size, take a glue gun and very carefully glue the loose end to the base of the carpet snag. This will ensure the carpet does not unravel.

Patching

If an area of the carpet is damaged then you may need to replace an entire section. Cut out the damaged section and replace with an exact matching piece from a replacement carpet. Glue in the new patch with a glue gun and weight down with a heavy object. Wait until dry and ruffle the pile so the new patch blends with the surrounding areas.

This is only advised in areas which are hidden as the join will be less noticeable.

Tears

Mend any tears with a latex seam adhesive and tuck the torn section back into the rest of the carpet.

Weaving

Follow the carpet loop to where it is woven into the base and identify where it goes next. Put a small implement in the loop of snagged carpet as this will prevent pulling the loop too tight and then pull the connecting loop so the snag is pulled down. Repeat this on surrounding loops to even up the pile and use a glue gun to fix the back of each hole.

Tufts

Cut down any damaged pile using scissors and remove the pile stubs with tweezers. Apply a latex cement on the backing and replace the tufts with a tuft setter before hammering into place. For the most attractive repairs, poke a strand into the backing and make additional loops.

A tuft setter can be purchased from most carpet suppliers.

Looking After Your Carpet

If you have spent the time and money to mend your carpet then you would hope the carpet is to last. Here are a few handy tips to extend the lifetime of your newly repaired carpet:

• When you have your flooring fitted by your local carpet supplier make sure to save a few good sized scraps. These can be saved for any future repairs and will guarantee you a great colour match.
• Don’t remove stretched carpet from a track strip as this will cause it to buckle and require re-stretching.
• If you have a long pile loop carpet try to keep pets off of it. Pets’ nails will snag the loops and cause it to look fuzzy.
• Don’t slide furniture across the flooring. Ask for help and lift the furniture instead.
• If you are going to make a repair do it straight away; leaving it will often make it worse.
• Before using any cleaning fluid on your carpet test it on those scraps you kept. Some textured carpets may react differently to how you expected.
• If you use a solvent based cleaner make sure it doesn’t soak through to the backing as this can cause it to separate.

Top Tips for Cleaning Your Vinyl Flooring

Vinyl cushion flooring is the surface covering of choice in a busy home with a lot of foot traffic. It is easy to fit and can mimic tile or wood so people would never know it came off a role. Vinyl cushion flooring is easy to maintain and can take a lot of wear and tear but if you don’t look after your flooring it can become dirty and stained.

How to clean your vinyl flooring

Instructions: Before you put any chemicals on your vinyl cushion flooring, make sure to check the manufacturer’s instructions. The paperwork that came with your flooring will list any hazardous materials that could damage your flooring but if you are still unsure then try a test patch in a hidden area first.

Regular maintenance: To keep your vinyl in tip top condition, make sure to clean it on a regular basis. A weekly vacuum or sweep will brush away any dirt, dust or small stones that may become ingrained in the floor. This residue may scratch the surface of your vinyl cushion flooring or dull its shine so a quick clean can keep it looking fresh for longer.

Correct equipment: Start off with a cloth or mop, but if there are stubborn stains then progress to a soft nylon pad or soft bristle brush. Be careful not to drench your vinyl if a stain is proving tough to remove. Excess water can get into any cracks or seams and destroy the glue bond which holds the vinyl cushion flooring to the ground. After time, your vinyl will begin to come loose and the corners will curl with excess water exposure.

Chemicals: Strong chemicals can damage the surface of your flooring or leave a residue, so if you are cleaning on a regular basis, avoid these. Mop with a mixture of hot water and either vinegar or ammonia.

If there is a wax build up then break through it with isopropyl alcohol and water with a good scrub. If the flooring is scuffed then use lighter fluid or paint thinner before washing away. With vinyl cushion flooring in bathrooms there may be a build-up of hairspray or other toiletries. Get rid of these with the same shampoo you’d use on your hair. Finally, for those pesky ingrained stains, pull out the bleach.

Prevention

Once you’ve spent an afternoon on your hands and knees scrubbing your floor you will not want to do it for a while so prevent damage and soiling with simple but easy measures.

Invest in a quality door mat to stop dirt being trampled through your home. Tracked in dirt not only means extra cleaning time but any grit picked up by your shoes can scuff the finish of your floor. Wiping your feet in a doormat will also clear any chemicals from your soles. You may not realise it, but chemicals from pavements or other floor surfaces can stick to your shoes. If you then walk on your vinyl cushion flooring it may fade or yellow.

Place protective feet on the legs of any heavy furniture to prevent the weight from denting the vinyl. These are reasonably priced and available from most hardware stores and supermarkets. When you move this furniture, try to lift rather than drag. Vinyl can pull away, bubble or crease so look after it to extend its lifespan.

Are you installing underfloor heating correctly?

Underfloor heating is becoming increasingly popular in Britain, and it is no surprise why – the benefits of having toasty toes and a more economical way of warming your home appeals to all sorts of homeowners in the UK. But before undertaking this transition, there are a number of things to consider.

Types of underfloor heating

There are two basic systems that can be installed: hot-water or electric mats (wet or wire respectively). Each of these has their pros and cons, but the main difference is that electric mats are cheaper and easier to install but are more expensive to run than wet systems. Hot-water underfloor heating allows you to save on heating costs as you can create a warmer room at lower temperatures.

When to use each system

Generally, wet underfloor heating systems are installed when the house is being built or undergoing a huge renovation. However, it is very disruptive and can cause significant hassle if you’re looking to install it on an existing floor. This is where the wire systems come into their own, as they can be simply installed directly underneath your existing or new carpets. To find out which option is best for your specific needs, talk to your carpet supplier.

Flooring considerations

Underfloor heating can be installed in virtually any room, but there are certain things you will need to consider when it comes to laying down the system. Here’s a quick guide for different floor types:

• Carpet – considered to be the warmest flooring type due to its insulating properties. This can affect the way in which heat is contained and distributed. If your carpet has a thermal resistance of any more than 2.5 tog there may be problems with heat coming through, however most carpets are usually under 1 tog.
• Stone and tiles – These are a very popular floor type to consider underfloor heating on as they can be very cold during winter months. Generally they warm up and heat the room well, although thick flagstones will take longer to reach the temperature you want.
• Wooden floors – timber is generally suitable for underfloor heating, however when it is laid you will need to leave an expansion gap to allow for the wood to adjust to temperature changes. Some wood is specifically designed for underfloor heating while some types are not recommended.
• Vinyls and Laminates – using underfloor heating with vinyls can be done if they are of high quality, however cheaper types can melt or become warped by the heat. Always check with the manufacturer when installing under this type of flooring.

Installing the system

Once you’ve decided what system you plan on running with and have checked with the vinyl, timber or carpet supplier that their products are suitable you will be ready to install the system. The wet system will need to be left in the capable hands of a professional, however wire systems can be very simple to install – some may even come with instructions for fitting at home. If you are comfortable and want to install the system yourself then check on YouTube, which has a number of different instructional videos.

Thrifty tip: Turning carpet remnants into rugs

Have you ever been in a carpet shop and been tempted by the low prices of carpet remnants? There may not be enough of it to carpet someone’s complete home, it might not even cover an entire room which is why the price is so low. However, there are some great uses for carpet remnants that thrifty people will love.

You can use carpet binding services to attach several remnants together and form a delightful rug, use them for hall runners or even to carpet your wardrobes. Here’s some great tips on how to use those leftover bits:

DIY remnants into rugs

Looking to save some money on turning those leftovers into a beautiful area rug for your home? Here’s a great tutorial on carrying out this process at home:

This can be done to fit any size and shape, while the demonstration only shows a basic rectangular rug, where you can go with this is down to your creativity! You could cut out custom shapes, letters, numbers and even silhouettes. The one thing you need to consider is whether or not the carpet is made out of fibres that partially melt when heated – if they are likely to burn it could be a potential disaster!

Binding rugs together

Sometimes remnants are just not wide enough for the area you need and the only solution is to join several pieces together to get the area you require. It is best to use carpet binding services for this task, as carpet binding machines do not come cheap – averaging around £2,000! Unless you plan on setting up your own business, it makes more sense to pay for the one off as it will generally be a lot less! When buying carpet remnants it may be worth asking the supplier about deals including their carpet binding services. It may be that they have lots of customers who ask this question, which resulted in them offering it as an extra.

Quality rugs at low prices

Because remnants are essentially bits of carpet that can’t be sold in large bulk you can get very plush carpets for low, low prices. This is ideal if you just need a surface rug or are planning on decking out a small room – by turning those remnants into rugs you can get a beautiful and lavish carpet well within your budget. It may even be possible to carpet an entire room solely with these sections, although it would have to be a very small area such as a utility room, hallways, walk in wardrobe or a cwtch. If you want to save even more money it is possible to install it yourself, there are many intractable YouTube videos that show you the best ways of doing this. There are a variety of thrifty uses for carpet remnants, making area rugs is just the tip of the iceberg, you may surprise yourself with what you can create!

Fun and thrifty uses for carpet remnants

In this economy, making a little go a long way is more important than ever.

When it comes to reusing bits and pieces of household material, you may be surprised by what you can achieve! One of the most common household floorings, carpet, can often have odds and ends left over after installation. Rather than throw them out, you can reuse this material for a number of jobs around the house.  You can even buy leftover carpet remnants online from carpet warehouses for thrifty projects.

When it comes to finding ideas for how to reuse carpet remnants, look no further. We’ve compiled a fun and easy list of ten things to do with leftover carpet right here.

Combat noisy washer-dryers. Do you have a washing machine or tumble dryer that rattles when you wash? Placing a scrap of carpet underneath or several small scraps under the four corners can help quieten noisy machines and protect your kitchen floor.

Move heavy or awkward furniture. To move that heavy table or armchair across hard floors, slip carpet scraps underneath and slide with ease rather than lifting.

Treat your car. To help keep your car clean, use carpet scraps to make foot mats to go in the footwells of your car, or use larger pieces to create a mat to line the boot and protect your vehicle’s interior.

Treat Fido. If your dog has a doghouse or crate, lining it with a little leftover carpet will make it just that little bit more comfortable!

Protect your floors. If you are really crafty, this one is a little more time consuming but the rewards are worth it. If you have hardwood floors, protect them from scraping kitchen chairs or bar stools by creating cushions out of carpet. Cut the carpet into circles to fit the foot of the chair leg, superglue in place and voila. Scratched floors and irritating scraping noises are a thing of the past.

Keep comfortable in the garden. Working in the flower or vegetable patch can mean lot of time spent on your knees. To cushion yourself and prevent injuries, use a rolled up piece of carpet when you garden.

Make an area rug. If you have a large piece of carpet leftover, you can make this into its own area rug for a different room.

Catch falling laundry. The gap between your appliance and whatever is next to it can be a perilous place for lost socks! As laundry falls in between the gap, getting it back can be impossible. By placing a line of carpet down here, the laundry will land on it. When you pull the carpet out, all that lost laundry will come too.

Treat Fluffy. Create a scratching post for kitty out of your leftover carpet. Your cat will love it, and it’s an easy thing to make using basic household items like superglue.

Protect your kitchen storage. Line the shelves of your cupboards or pantry with the carpeting to cushion pots, pans and other items and protect your shelving at the same time.

Making your rooms more homely with carpet

Do you feel suffocated by your home? Are you surrounded by knick-knacks you’ve collected over the years that you don’t really want any more? Do you struggle to relax?

Making your home more comfortable needn’t be hard work. Here’s how to make your rooms feel much more homely:

Make it yours

How personal is your home? While the ultra-sleek, modern look is extremely fashionable, white walls and wooden floors can be cold and uninviting and without personal knick-knacks your home can really suffer.

Introducing things you really enjoy can completely change the way in which the room feels. Bringing in things such as family photos, a book shelf with your favourite novels, and scatter cushions can really work to give your rooms a more personalised feel. Don’t worry about what other people will think about your home – it’s yours and yours only!

Use your curtains right

Heavy curtains are excellent for keeping sunlight out, but in areas like the living room this is actually detrimental for the room’s aesthetics. Ideally you want unlined curtains which filter the sun through with a pleasant glow, giving the room a kind light that is extremely welcoming. During the summer months, when it is warm enough to open the windows, your light curtains will be caught in the wind and give the room an airy feel. Don’t let the carpets match the drapes, as this will create too much of a uniform feel and clash with other colours in the room.

Bring in rugs and homely carpets

A plain coloured carpet can be very dull and affect the general impression of the room. By introducing patterned carpets and rugs you can create a more cheerful and inviting room. And if replacing your carpet seems like too much hassle, a couple of throw rugs can work to create the same effect. Go for a fuzzy shag rug to create a cosy, comfy feel – make sure they are placed in open areas to get the biggest impact.

Bring in colours

It’s undeniable that colours can have a positive or negative effect on people’s moods. So take care when planning your colour schemes. By painting the walls and talking to carpet suppliers, you can find the perfect colours and create a truly unique room. Combining different colours together can create a really pleasant, homely environment. Want one room to be all about rest and relaxation? Choose a soft green. Looking for the best tones to convey cosiness? Consider pairing an orange sofa teamed with a red carpet.

Keep your winters warm

If you’re looking to keep your home warm in the warmer months, it’s well worth bringing a soft rug into tiled and wooden floored areas. Or, if you’re looking for a more permanent source of warmth, consider a carpet, which can hold heat much better than laminate flooring. As a result, you’ll not only feel warmer but also spend less money heating your home. Talk to your carpet supplier and they may be able to point you in the direction of insulating carpets and the best underlays that work to keep your home warmer.

Merchandising in Your Carpet Shop

Merchandising is a vital component in any successful retail business. The way you display your stock will affect the number of sales you make so optimise window displays, elevated platforms and colourful backdrops to your best ability.

It’s only natural to want to show off your wares to optimal effect when you’re selling through carpet shops. Cardiff, Manchester or London – it doesn’t matter – you’ll want to display your carpets in such a way that it stimulates interest and entices customers to make a purchase – wherever you’re based! If you attract the attention of shoppers, you will increase the chances of selling stock off quickly and making a profit.

Here are some basic tips on how to best present your carpets to prospective customers.

On racks or rolled

Racks are often used in carpet stores as they allow a customer to sort through large scale samples quickly and with little effort. Carpets can be quite heavy and simply piling carpets or rugs on top of each other may make them cumbersome to lift. A rack takes the weight off your hands and supports the carpets in an upright fashion allowing you to flick through styles like pages in a book.

Rolls of carpet, like racks, are placed vertically for a handy space saving way of merchandising your product. Rolls should be displayed without plastic wrapping to allow the customer to feel the texture of the carpet. Many people make a decision not on the way it looks, but how it feels, so this is a key point in your merchandising process. Carpets should never be folded as this can damage the pile and create marks.

Mock-ups

Room mock-ups are a great addition to any carpet or home retail store if you have the available space. Mock-ups will help a customer visualise how a carpet will look with certain furniture and in different rooms. A mock-up also allows a customer to walk on the carpet and see how it feels under foot. They may not like the feel and decided to go for a longer loop pile rather than a short twist, thanks to the experience.

This is also a great way to showcase your carpet accessories, such as metal door bars and thresholds, or any carpet cleaning products you may sell.

Samples

If you have a small shop space then carpet sample books are a great way of displaying multiple carpets using little space. Place on purpose built tables and stands just above waist height so customers can stand and scan the carpet samples with ease.

A free carpet sample service is a great way of getting interactive with your customers. By allowing your customers to take home a small number of carpet samples, you can help them to visualise what the flooring may look like in their own home. Colours may look different under different lighting or next to furniture so many people choose this method in order to assure they are buying the right carpet. This is a relatively low cost way of keeping your customer happy.

Online

The internet has revolutionised the way we do our shopping today. Three quarters of the world’s population now use the internet, with over 80% admitting to researching a product online before they buy. With a global market, your internet store could effectively sell a carpet to anyone, wherever your market may be.

An online store is convenient for your customers as it allows them to check your stock and availability without making the journey to the store, therefore saving time and money. An online store is accessible 24 hours a day so even if your shop is closed for the day, your business can still make money.

How to decorate your house on a budget

Giving your home that air of grandeur doesn’t have to cost the earth, with enough thrifty tips you can completely change the décor at a very low cost. The first thing you need to do is make a list of the things you want each room to have, picking themes and design options – once you’ve got this down you can use this guide to inject some glam into your home without breaking the bank.

Shopping around

Everywhere has different deals, prices and options available. When you’re looking for something specific it’s always best to look around to get the best value. Even if you’re only saving a few quid here and there it will all add up to a bargain. Don’t forget – one person’s trash is another person’s treasure, so be sure to check out charity stores and second hand shops for some excellent bargains.

Don’t be afraid to barter

Many people just take the price they are giving as a set price, however in many furniture shops and thrift stores you can usually haggle over the prices. Set yourself a budget and make sure you stick to it, tell them from the get go that you have ‘X’ amount to spend but you really like something that costs ‘Y’ – chances are they’ll come up with some creative discounts to help bring it down into your budget! You never know if you don’t ask and the worst they can do it say no, so what is there it lose?

Do it yourself

Instead of hiring in a painter-decorator you can do it all yourself, saving yourself a fortune! Painting walls is one of the fastest ways to liven up a room and completely change the colour scheme and feeling of the room. If your room is already a neutral colour like beige or white then you can save even more money by having a single feature wall. The biggest cost to painting a room is time, so make sure you have an entire weekend free if you plan on carrying out some serious redecoration.

Fix, repaint and update

It may be that what you have in your home already just feels a little outdated, the quickest fix for this is to simply repair it! Your old wooden chairs probably just need a new coat of paint to bring them back to life, this may also be true of the cabinet doors in your kitchen. Reupholstering tatty old furniture is a lot cheaper and more hassle free than buying new sofas, chairs and pillows – it’s not expensive to buy professional ones, but making your own isn’t as difficult as it sounds!

Using carpet remnants

There are hundreds of places you can find carpet remnants online, with prices ranging from free to a reasonable price. Carpet remnants provide a cheap and cheerful way to inject colour and texture into your home with a range of possibilities. With a simple frame you can hang them on the walls to create a lovely textured wall feature helping to break up the hard surface. If you have lots of remnants you can create rugs or even a patchwork carpet of your own, all at a very low cost!

Image credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/alancleaver/

How to Select the Right Flooring for Your New Home

You’ve bought a new house! Whether you’re a first time buyer, a frequent mover or looking to buy-to-rent flooring in your home is very important. Flooring is a large element in your interior design and it must not only be stylish but comfortable and practical.

Before you head down to your local carpet supplier or DIY store think about what you want to get out of your flooring choice. Do you have children or pets? If so you may need a floor covering which is durable and easy to clean. Are you on a budget? Most flooring is priced by square footage so don’t forget your calculator!

Think about different flooring for different rooms. You don’t necessarily have to use the same throughout the home. Each flooring surface has different benefits which can be utilised throughout the home.

Halls, stairways and landings

First impressions count! The entrance hall is the first place visitors see when entering your home so make sure to impress. The same flooring is usually used in the hallway, on the stairs and on the landing to create coherence in areas with little design possibilities.

Flooring here must be highly durable as one of the busiest areas in the home. Wear and tear as well as dirt can influence your flooring choices. Engineered wooden flooring would be suitable as a strong alternative to solid, real wood. This gives the grand appearance of hardwood flooring but is less expensive. Perhaps add a stylish runner for extra interest. For a softer flooring go for carpet with a short pile. Stray away from light colours as these will highlight any marks.

Bedroom

In a bedroom you tend to see either carpet or wood flooring. A bedroom sees less foot traffic than other rooms and is an area where you’re likely to be bare foot so comfort is important.

A carpet supplier would recommend a long pile carpet for a bedroom. The long fibres cushion the flooring and look luxurious. Choose a Saxony or shag carpet for added indulgence.

Hardwood flooring looks great in any room. Whether Oak, Walnut or Ash make sure it matches any wooden furniture in the room. Either invest in new wood flooring or strip and varnish existing floor boards. Wooden flooring can be quite cold so add a few rugs to add warmth and colour.

Bathroom and Kitchen

The kitchen is often used as frequently as the living room so flooring has to be durable. In an area where spills are likely to happen you also need to consider how easy flooring options are to clean. Go for a tile or laminate for a wipe down finish. Never fit a carpet in a kitchen!

The same materials are great for bathrooms. Laminate or tile is recommended for its waterproof qualities. Both can be customised to fit the design of your room with an endless array of colours and patterns to fit any taste.

Living room and dining room

Probably the most lived in area of the home, the living room is a social area used for lounging and relaxing. Comfort and style is important but it must be long lasting as well. Go for a practical short pile in a berber style which will hide any marks.

For a living dining area wood may be a good alternative to carpet. Similarly to the kitchen a dining room may see food spills so wooden flooring is a great fit as it is unlikely to stain.

Image Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/74783045@N00/

12 Top Tips for Saving Money When Re-decorating Your Home

Has it been years since you re-decorated your home? Is your furniture looking tired and shabby? Then it’s time to get out the paint brush and the staple gun to transform your house into a home.

It doesn’t have to cost a fortune. With some clever planning and research you can recycle, free-cycle and up-cycle items to create a modern and chic interior which you can be proud of.

You don’t have to be a master carpenter or a Turner Prize winner, it can take as little as an internet connection or a good clean.

Take a look at our 12 top tips for saving money when re-decorating your home:

An almost new carpet: Buying new flooring can be expensive so spruce up your current carpets by hiring a carpet cleaner. If you do it yourself you’ll save money and be left with what feels like a new carpet. You can even hire cleaning machines on a day rate, to help you out.

Transform your furniture: Repaint old wooden furniture for a new look or touch up any scuffed woodwork. Try a bold and bright colour to inject some excitement into your interior.

Feature walls: Most people who have lived in a property for a number of years will have left over paint and decorating supplies. Try mixing leftovers to create new colours and paint a focal point or create a feature wall.

Freecycle: It may surprise you what can be acquired for free. Many people who are clearing a space will not charge but simply give away items in order to dispose of them. Freecycle websites are popping up everywhere with items such as furniture and accessories being given away at no cost.

Get artsy: Frame illustrations from magazines or books and hang on your walls for a new art piece on a budget. For a more personal touch to your décor create photo collages or frame your children’s drawings.

Remnant rugs: Visit your local carpet supplier and ask if they have any remnants of carpets. If you have a small office or corridor you may be able to carpet the floor on a budget. Otherwise you could use remnants as a new rug to spice up your existing flooring.

Sew your own: As with the carpet supplier, see if you’re local fabric store has any remnants which they sell off cheap. Sewing is a valuable skill to learn and can save you a lot of money on cushions. If you don’t like any of the fabrics on sale then why not try recycling an old tablecloth or a pair of curtains from your home.

New for old: If you can’t afford to re-decorate then why not fund the new with the old. Sell on any old unused furniture and ornaments and raise the money to buy that new carpet or three piece suite.

Clean up: A simple change that can make a big difference to your bathroom is investing in a new shower curtain. With graphic print and photographic options on the market a shower curtain can now become a piece of art.

Travel expenses: You may have to travel distances to find a good bargain. Check out car boot sales, estate sales, thrift stores or even a business liquidation sale for cheap and cheerful second hand items. Cost out your petrol though! You don’t want to spend more in petrol than you will be saving on cost price.

Recycle and reuse: Recycle everyday items to add chic new accessories to your interior. Use old jam jars as vases or stack vintage suitcases in the corner of a room for aesthetically pleasing storage.

Reupholster: Get your staple gun out! Grab those remnants of fabric and start covering. A new covering to a chair can reinvigorate it and extend the seat’s lifetime.