Old timer told me to never stretch carpet across a doorway

Guy I learned from back in 2005 said you always stop and seam at doorways. Took me a few jobs where the carpet buckled after a season to figure out he was right. Anyone else have a mentor whose advice you ignored at first?

2 comments

2 Comments

susan_ward8d ago

Had a guy tell me the same thing once. Called him old school and did it my way anyway. Carpet looked great for about three weeks, then looked like a wrinkly elephant.

nathan2898d agoTop Commenter

Man, that wrinkly elephant thing happens way more than people admit. The issue isn't just the stretching technique, it's the padding underneath. If the pad is cheap or worn out, no amount of power stretching will keep that carpet flat long term. The carpet just ripples around the padding instead of staying tight. Most folks overlook the pad and blame the installer.