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The joys of keeping animals are many. Your furry buddy can provide company and comfort, and could even be beneficial to your overall health.
But not every Instagram-capable dog or cat obeys the house rules. Among their worst violations: tearing and tearing on carpeted floors.
Fortunately, there is a solution and it doesn’t require a phone call to a flooring store. Washington Post columnist Jeanne Huber suggests cutting out the damaged area first so it is in the shape of something easy to relate to, like a square or rectangle. (You can use a utility knife or a box cutter.) Make sure you cut with a straight edge and follow the fibers so you cut in between.
Then use the damaged piece as a template, take a scrap of carpet and adjust it to the new space. Cut it from the bottom. Use single sided carpet seam tape to surround the hole, with part of it under the old carpet and part of it sticking out so that it is under the new part. Then attach it and make sure the fibers “flow” in the same direction. Don’t use double sided tape as you don’t want to stick the piece to the floor. It should “float” like the rest of the rug.
The seam tape can either be pressure activated or heat activated to create a strong bond. If you go for heat activated tape, which is stronger, you’ll need a special carpet iron to apply the heat. You can also use a commercially available iron with a damp towel as a buffer to stroke the surface with gentle movement for about 60 seconds. If you find this difficult – too much heat could melt the carpet fibers and possibly your whole house if you aren’t careful – go for the pressure activated tape.
Of course, you might be wondering why someone expects you to have an extra scrap of carpet. Ideally, you will have something left over from the first carpet installation, even if you were not at home at the time. Additional floors, roof shingles and the like are often found in garages, attics or basements.
If not, you can try sourcing a remainder from a carpet dealer if you know the product name or number. Be aware that trying to create a visual match may not quite work.
If you can’t find one, you have another option – to get a “donor” piece of carpet from a place your home won’t be missing, such as a closet. If all else fails, you can hire a carpet care professional who may find a match from dealerships. If you go for this method – it could cost you $ 150 – make sure you keep glaring at your dog all the time. Or consider a floating vinyl floor.
Most importantly, make sure to keep your pet from attacking your carpet again. Cats should have scratching posts so they don’t feel the urge to dig into tufts of carpet. If your cat is scratching in the exact same spot, try moving a piece of furniture over it. Dogs – especially puppies – can be deterred from chewing carpets by telling them “no” and then immediately giving them a chew toy (ideally, this is not the carpet pro).
[h/t The Washington Post]
