Installation Guide

21
manufacturer, sequence carpet cuts working from the longest measured repeat
gradually down to the shortest repeat within the dye lot.
19.6 Carpet Layout – Lay carpet out according to the seaming diagram. Unroll carpet
and allow it to relax for a minimum of 24 hours before installation. Pre-cutting of
carpet is recommended.
Note: Patterned carpet may require additional material for proper pattern matching.
19.7 Seam Preparation – Refer to Section 8.
19.8 Pattern Adjustment - Pattern adjustment during installation is possible and should
be anticipated.
19.9 Pattern Alignment - Match the pattern at the midpoint of the seam’s length. Work
from the seam’s midpoint to the seam ends. Bring the pattern into register using
appropriate tools that might include:
• mechanical stretching device
• knee kicker
• dead man
• “dry” lines
• stay nails
• double-headed mini-stretcher (“crab stretcher”)
Note: For patterned carpet, exercise care to ensure pattern alignment along walls. The use
of a mechanical stretching device, stay-nails and a “dead man” may be necessary to achieve
pattern match at seams and alignment along walls.
20. Protecting Indoor Installations
20.1 Curing Adhesives – It is highly recommended that traffic over field-applied adhesive
installations be restricted to installation personnel only for a minimum of 24-48 hours
to allow adhesives to cure properly. Premature traffic will cause installation failure.
Restrict carpet exposure to water from cleaning or other sources for a minimum of
30 days.
20.2 Materials for Protection – It is recommended that carpet be the last trade on any
job site. However, if it is required to protect the finished floor covering from soil or
paint, or if additional work is required to be done after the installation, the carpet
should be covered with a non-staining building material paper. Protect the
installation from rolling traffic by using sheets of hardboard or plywood in potentially
affected areas.
CAUTION: Self-adhering plastic films may leave residues that result in rapid soiling after
removal. Do not place plastic sheeting over any carpet installation because it may present a
slip hazard. Most importantly, plastic coverings will trap moisture, retard adhesive curing and
may promote mold growth.