During the initial installation and for a carpet repair.
Carpet stretched after cleaning.
Carpet stretching is generally done in two different situations.
This temporarily creates a loose appearance in the carpet and some ripples bumps or buckling.
It is more beneficial to stretch the carpets before getting them cleaned.
The answer to this question is that it really doesn t matter that much.
This is actually a very common misconception.
Some people think that if a carpet stretching company cleans their carpet before stretching it then their carpet will shrink up again.
Once stretched a carpet needs to be pulled up and stretched further using a carpet stretching machine.
Excess water causes the carpet fibers to stretch and not return to.
Several things can cause this to happen the most usual cause being improper installation.
Older carpets may stretch during cleaning.
The water is absorbed differently in the different layers of the carpet and creates tension clay in glue layer for example expands.
When a wall to wall carpet is installed it must be stretched tightly and then is secured in place with tack strips along the edges of the carpet.
Moisture in a carpet can cause fibers in both the carpet itself and its backing to swell.
However this is an extremely common misconception.
Some carpet stretchers prefer the carpet to be cleaned prior to stretching as they think cleaning the carpet can cause the carpet to flex and become loose.
If the installer has not stretched the carpet tightly enough it may loosen slightly which could cause it to ripple.
Let s examine some of the reasons for this.
Carpet buckling may occur as a result of poor installation of the carpet.
The carpet can then be reinstalled and pulled.
They prefer to loosen the carpet prior to stretching so it doesn t come loose during the subsequent cleaning.
They also believe that the wrinkles return.
The initial stretch during installation ensures that the carpet is taught secure and even across the entire floor covering.
The popular thought is if you clean the carpets after stretching them the cleaning will loosen the carpet back up and the wrinkles will return.
This condition is more common in carpets that have been in place for some time and are in need of re stretching prior to the cleaning.
Usually it is an installation issue carpet was not stretched properly and is larger than the area it is covering and will go away in a couple of days.
Taught carpet will stay in place and stay smooth and flat to the floor where it belongs.