Hi everyone. About 6 months ago we had a carpet installed on halls stairs and landing (three storey). We went with a reputable, well reviewed local carpet retailer. And bought an expensive hard wearing carpet and the most expensive underlay. On their advice. In short, this wasn’t a job where we were looking to skimp. We wanted a good job that would last 10+ years and were happy to pay for it. The fitters arrived very late and told us how they were very behind. Accordingly they did the job in record time. I’ve never seen carpet being laid so quickly. They didn’t leave until the evening and said they still had a job to do. Alas, I feel like we paid the price for their rush job. In short, the landings are very well fitted, but the two staircases seem - to me at least - to be very poor. With the exception of one or two steps on the twist, almost all of them visibly lift at the sides. And there is a hump in the middle of the step. I’m attaching some photos. The hoover lifts the carpet up, and I have to try to press it down with my feet whenever we go up the stairs. A couple of steps have 10mm+ gaps between the flats and the risers. Enough to stick your fingers in. Again, see photos. I flagged this up and was told it was because of walking up and down and this was typical for new carpets, especially because it’s so thick. They sent the fitter out who told us it simply needed to be rebolstered. Aside from destroying my skirting board for the second time, this did no good whatsoever. On the second complaint I asked the manager to come himself, hoping he’d spot the shoddy workmanship from the fitters and apologise profusely. Not the case. He conceded it was probably only an ‘8/10’ job, but told me all it needed was another rebolstering. But that the couple of steps that had gaps did need to be swapped using the excess we still had. So the fitter returned and decided the steps didn’t need to be replaced, only lifted, restretched and - you guessed it - rebolstered. It looked exactly the same. I’m now going to write to the company to formally request a refit or refund but I wondered if some of the pros on here would be kind enough to let me know what you think. So I can prove to the company I’m not mad. It’s clear the fitter thinks it’s a perfectly fine job. And we’re just picky. I know very little about carpet, but it occurs to me that a big problem is that there don’t seem to be any gripper rods on the sides, only underneath the risers on the horizontals. I’m therefore not entirely sure what they’re bolstering into. I asked this and was told that’s not how it’s done anymore apparently? Is that the case? Should I be pushing for a complete redo? Or would it suffice for them to lift the carpet, add grippers, and replace? Or would the carpet already be compromised? Could this be achieved with pinning? Sorry for the questions, I just want to be clear what I’m willing to accept from them. To be clear, I’m really happy with the carpet, it’s just the fitting in question. Every other staircase I’ve ever had has been completely tight. Many thanks for any help you can offer. Best. Dave.
Hi. Don’t know off the top of my head I’m afraid. But it was the thickest they did. On their recommendation. Cheers.
Thanks. We just followed their recommendation. How about the side grippers. Are they right to say this isn’t done anymore? Thanks.
Hi. Thanks for the reply. I don’t know I’m afraid. But there’s no side gripper rod at all. Apparently that’s the ‘old way of doing it’??? Thanks.
I’d be very interested in hearing if it’s acceptable to not use side grippers? And whether you think the carpet can be salvaged by lifting, restretching and relaying or whether it needs ripping up and starting again? If anyone can reply this evening before I write to them tomorrow I’d be very grateful. Many thanks. D.
There is no requirement to put 'side grippers' on a straight staircase. Unfortunately yours have just been terribly fitted and not stretched properly! It can be uplifted and refitted but will need prepping correctly (going off the standard of fitting). You may end up running out of carpet - do you have some spare carpet? As rugmunchjing said - a denser underlay would be better but that's not why yours are so baggy its just poor fitting.
I agree, its just bad fitting ... looking at it, is the pile of the carpet going 'down' the riser? I've seen carpet like this before and the stairs were cut out sideways, i.e., pile going left to right. And, as previously said, fitters only put grippers on the sides of kites etc (corner steps)
Oh ... forgot to say, some carpets have that much adhesives/different Polyprops in the backing, they're bast**d to fit when cold ... you need the heating on to soften the backing.
There’s a good chance the fitters have put a hole in the carpet aswell judging buy the speed they slapped it down also amount times they have bolstered it in and the pic with fingers.
Regardless, that underlay is far too thick for stairs. Ask for it to be changed. It was their ill advised recommendation after all. Then the carpet on the stairs can be re adapted. You’ll gain carpet because you’ll have a thinner / denser underlay. No need for ‘side grippers’.
Looks like stain away tweed always a hard backing total crap and 11mm on stairs asking for trouble as the grippers need up grading too
amazing how many fitters are not very good at stairs, side gripper not needed but they look baggy as hell, sometimes you have to look at the shop too by the sound of it they are loading the fitters up with too much work
i can't remember the last time I did NOT change gripper on a staircase that i have fitted,never seem to be prepped correctly,no way is that fitted tight enough
wouldnt it be great if everybody prepped correctly, i dont remember a job i havent replaced the grippers free of charge just so the customer doesnt think im trying to wring money from them for gripper they already have. shocking work in this trade. probably only about 5% of the trade are actually good and taught correctly, the rest have heard what great money we can earn and teach themselves and think theyre brilliant.
