Carpet Installation Guide

Installation

All installations must be carried out in accordance with BS5325: 1996. The following is a brief guide to broadloom carpet and carpet tile installation.

Concrete and timber floors need to have a surface regularity which complies with the requirements of the British Standard.

Before installing the floor finish, concrete floors must be sufficiently dry to show a hygrometer reading not exceeding 75% Relative Humidity when tested in accordance with the British Standard Code of Practice.

Where timber floors need re-surfacing, we would recommend the use of 6mm exterior quality or WBP Plywood, secured at 150mm centres.

Do not use over wood block floors, which should be removed prior to installation.Where carpet tiles are to be laid over raised access floors, then it is important that the tackifying adhesive is kept clear of the edge of each panel (25mm all round) and that the tackifying adhesive is allowed to dry completely before laying the carpet tiles.

Prior to installation, carpets and carpet tiles should be rolled out and unpacked to acclimatise on site. This must be done for a minimum of 24 and 48 hours respectively. During winter months (Oct to Mar) 48 and 72 hours respectively should be allowed. The minimum background temperature during acclimatisation must be approximately 18°C or more.

Birch Carpets are happy to assist with any advice on the installations of their products for particular locations, but cannot accept any responsibility for problems arising out of poor workmanship, or installation under adverse conditions.

Installation - Broadloom Carpets

1. Check that the carpet is correct, with regard to colour/design, roll lengths and batch numbers.
2. Use the recommended adhesives.
3. Floors must be smooth, clean, dry and none compressible and conform to National Building Standards & Regulations. An efficient damp proof membrane must be incorporated into the construction of solid subfloors.
4. Under floor heating should be switched off 48 hours before installation, and should not be turned on until at least 48 hours after completion. Peak temperatures should be avoided for a further 7 days.
5. All broadloom carpets should be installed with the pile laying in the same direction.
6. Wherever possible lay the carpet down the length of the room to minimise the number of joints.

Installation Instructions

1. Start at the corner furthest from the door. Lay the first piece lapping up the walls to allow sufficient for trimming.
2. Lay the second piece and trim the edge adjacent to the first piece a minimum two rows of pile with a foam back carpet cutter or sharp knife.
3. Overlap the second piece onto the edge of the first piece.
4. Using the trimmed edge as a guide, cut the first piece and remove the surplus.
5. To prepare a compression seam joint, overlap the edge of the first piece with the second piece by approximately 3mm.
6. Fold back both edges by half the width of the carpet. Apply adhesive to the floor, then relay the first piece.
7. Squeeze seam sealing adhesive onto the primary backing along the edge of the first piece.
8. Re-lay the second piece. Starting at the centre, press the edge into the seaming adhesive along the entire length. Any fullness of carpet should be dissipated away from the seam. The remainder of the carpet not yet stuck down, must be secured as described, then trimmed at the perimeter.
9. After placing each piece of carpet into the adhesive, immediately apply pressure with a broom, light roller or Glyda to ensure all-over adhesion.

Installation - Carpet Tiles

1. Birch Carpets preferred way of installation is tessellated at 90° to each other. They can also be laid broadloom.
2. Check that the numbers of boxes are correct, and that the dye batch numbers are all the same. Carpet tiles should be removed from their boxes and be allowed to condition for 48 hours before fitting.
3. A full spread of a release system (tackifier) adhesive should be applied to the floor in accordance with the manufacturers recommendations.
4. Find the central line of the room in both directions, and commence laying the carpet tiles setting off from the centre in both directions, keeping the tiles square and butted firmly to each other.
5. To fit the perimeter tiles, butt one tile against the skirting, position the tile to be cut exactly over the one immediately behind it, overlapping the butted up tile. Mark and cut the tile where this crosses. The cut tile will exactly fill the perimeter space.
6. Birch carpet tiles should not be laid over under floor heating where this is likely to exceed 27°C.
7. Cut pile tiles - take care not to trap the surface of the pile between tiles (brush back as necessary). Cut pile products can be susceptible to temporary pressure marking - an effect created by packing, storage and shipment. This temporary effect occurs with all grades of carpet and will vanish as the tufts recover and the carpet regains its original appearance.