Loading…
17
Hot take: I was convinced you always needed a power stretcher for a proper install
Talked to a guy at the supply house who does a lot of small, weird-shaped rooms in old houses. He said for anything under 10x12, a good knee kicker and proper tack strips are faster and just as tight. He showed me his method on a 9x11 sunroom job and honestly, it looked flawless. Anyone else skip the power stretcher for smaller spaces?
3 comments
Log in to join the discussion
Log In3 Comments
tessa_clark746mo ago
Tbh @simon_coleman has the right idea about control in tight spots. A good knee kicker and sharp technique gets it plenty tight for a small room. You really don't need the big tool for every single job.
6
robin_lee6mo ago
Remember that time you tried to use a power stretcher in your old apartment hallway? We spent more time moving it around than actually stretching carpet.
5
simon_coleman6mo ago
That guy is right on the money. A knee kicker gives you more control in a tight space where a big stretcher just gets in the way. I've done plenty of hallways and odd closets where a power stretcher would have been a wrestling match. The key is really knowing how to set your strips and work the carpet from the center out. You can get it drum-tight if you take your time with the kicker.
0