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How To Patch a Carpet – 6 Simple Steps

A burned hole in an old stained brown carpet

Damage to your carpet can seem devastating. Even a small hole or a burn can be really obvious, especially if it is in a prominent position, and when the damage occurs it is easy to start envisaging a nightmare scenario of having to have the whole carpet replaced just because of 1 square inch of damage. However, as long as you have an offcut of carpet, or you can get a piece of the same carpet from somewhere, it is a relatively simple task to patch the carpet up and have it looking as good as new.

Below are the 6 steps you need to follow to remove the damaged area of carpet and replace it with a brand-new section.

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Safety First

The process below is relatively safe but it does require the use of a sharp utility knife or craft knife and may require using a strong adhesive. Safety always comes first, so make sure you know how to use a sharp knife safely, and if you’re in any doubt about making the repair yourself, have a professional carpet fitter or upholsterer do the work for you. This may also be necessary if you can’t find a suitable piece of replacement carpet. A professional may have better luck locating the carpet and they will have a good idea of what can be done to make repairs even without it.

Hole In Corner Of Carpet Exposing Wood
Image By: DMFhotography, Shutterstock

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How To Patch a Carpet in 6 Steps

1. Measure the Patch

You can measure the size of the patch that you are going to remove using a tape measure but a more reliable way to ensure that you cut a piece the right size is to use a glass or something of a uniform size that will fit around the damaged area completely. Push down on the glass so it leaves an indentation in the carpet. This is where you will cut, so the indentation needs to be obvious.


2. Cut Out the Damaged Carpet

Using the indentation you’ve made, get a sharp craft knife and cut out the damaged area of carpet making sure you stick to the indentation as closely as possible. You need to make sure you cut right through the base but not so hard that you cut through the underlay. Once you’ve started to make a cut, you can lift the carpet and this will help you avoid the underlay during the rest of the cut. Try to make the cut in one go rather than having to cover the same cut time and time again because this increases the likelihood of damaging or fraying the carpet edge.


3. Cut the Replacement

Find a remnant of carpet that was left when the original was laid. If you don’t have such a remnant, you may be able to repurpose a small patch of carpet from the floor of the closet or somewhere else where a missing patch isn’t visible. Alternatively, you might be able to get an offcut from the store that sold you the carpet in the first place, or potentially even from the manufacturer. Use the same glass that you used to make the indentation in the carpet earlier and make a similar indentation in the carpet you’re cutting. Once you’ve cut the piece, remove any cottons or frayed edges so that the new carpet piece is tidy.


4. Place the Adhesive Patch or Carpet Tape

You can use adhesive patches or carpet tape. If you’re using adhesive patches, make sure they slot underneath the remaining carpet and cover the whole area where the new carpet piece will go. If using carpet tape, you also need to make sure that the end of the pieces tuck under the existing carpet. Remove the adhesive backing, pull up the carpet, and put the adhesive patch or carpet tape down with the sticky side of the tape facing up and making sure it protrudes at least an inch under the existing carpet.


5. Place the New Patch

Methods of installation and tools used to install carpet ties
Image By: VanoVasaio, Shutterstock

Ensure the circular piece of replacement carpet matches the pattern of the carpet before putting it in place. Gently place the carpet patch down and make sure it is level. Press firmly around the edges for a few minutes to ensure that the patch sticks to the tape or adhesive patch underneath. You can also move the carpet fibers around to make sure there are no lines. Put a heavy weight on the new carpet piece and leave it overnight.


6. Smooth the Pile

Come morning, you can remove the heavy weight and trim any uneven fibers. Be careful not to cut the carpet too much or it will look uneven and the repaired patch will stand out when looking at it. Depending on the type of carpet, you can also smooth the pile using your fingers or a brush.

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Conclusion

Fixing a damaged patch of carpet doesn’t have to be difficult or expensive. You can use adhesive patches and either single or double-sided carpet tape to attach a piece of carpet remnant or replacement carpet piece that you have sourced from the supplier or manufacturer. Making this simple repair could save you hundreds in repair fees or the thousands it would cost to fully replace the carpet in the room.


Featured Image Credit: Lisa_A, Shutterstock

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