Spray adhesive to fix underlay to wooden floorboards?

Discussion in 'Carpet / Textile' started by Mark S, Sep 8, 2021.

  1. Mark S

    Mark S Member

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    Had an issue with a local shop fitting a berber style carpet on top of Verve 9mm foam underlay. Unfortunately the carpet delivered by manufacturers was too small, so having fitted the grippers and underlay they had to leave as manufacturer has to re-deliver correct size carpet.

    Then I noticed the edge of the underlay was bobbled up on one edge and lifting up in the corner - I thought that's strange as I assumed it would be stapled onto the wooden floorboards (bog standard 1930's type room with wooden boards and skirtings). But they have used a spray adhesive... the underlay has bobbled up about 2-3 inches on the edge and is peeling back on the corner too... underneath is sticky and tacky. It also looks a bit like the bottom fabric/skin of the underlay has pulled away from the foam in places too.

    I've never come across using spray adhesive being used on wooden floors... shouldn't it always be stapled? Not least for if I need access to pipes or electrics as how will I ever get that up and down in once piece again?

    I spoke to the shop who initially said it sounded wrong, then said the fitter said it was "temporary" (?!) as he'd run out of staples, then I pointed out he'd tried to fit the carpet on top so that couldn't be true... so they said he'd pull it up, scrape the adhesive off the boards (really?) and lay new underlay with staples. Then a second person became involved who said adhesive was fine, preferable to staples even, and the underlay is coming up because the carpet isn't on top and the underlay should "move with the carpet".... what??

    I'm confused - is this right, acceptable, or just wrong? Any advice/opinions gratefully accepted!

    PS. I also thought underlay should be laid on top of lining paper and opposite direction to floorboards? These have no lining paper and run with the floorboards. Not important?
     
  2. merit

    merit Well-Known Member

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    You should have a interlay between floorboards and underlay but no one seems to do it anymore. It would be a extra cost. We use cloud 9 and tape the joins. It’s got a paper top so don’t see the need to paper felt unless it’s wood block or there has been damage to the original carpet from drought.
    Most fitters will staple underlay to a wood floor but if you run out of staples the next best thing is a bit of spray glue to fix it at each end and stop it moving when you got the carpet.
    I wouldn’t say it’s wrong, just no point when you have staples.


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  3. Mark S

    Mark S Member

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    Thanks for the reply. He came and stapled it today, then fitted the carpet under the door that was then so tight he says I shouldn't open or close it as it could snag on the loop pile - he "didn't want to cut the door himself as he doesn't like doing that".... don't think I'll be a return customer!
     
  4. Rugmunching

    Rugmunching Well-Known Member

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    I cut doors but not always, just can't be bothered to be honest especially when the customer thinks you'll do it for free! I'll tell the customer beforehand that they'll need to get it trimmed or pay me £20...up to them
     
  5. merit

    merit Well-Known Member

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    A lot of carpet fitters won’t cut doors. We always cut them but charge accordingly. It can damage the carpet and that’s why we prefer to cut them


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  6. dazlight

    dazlight Super Moderator

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    We charge £20 a door and it’s on my quotes
     
  7. Mark S

    Mark S Member

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    Yes I would expect to pay extra to get a door trimmed and that's always been the deal, I think it's always been £20. However I've always had fitters who are professional enough and helpful enough to advise when it's going to be too tight - including other fitters from this company - what I have an issue with is a fitter who thinks it's fine to shove a loop pile carpet under a door that's so tight (and a bit rough underneath) that he's told me I shouldn't move the door, and then says he "doesn't like" cutting doors. Even worse he must have had an idea the day before when he brought the carpet that was too small, he could have said "that's going to be tight" or something... just my opinion but he was unprofessional/unhelpful/lazy and then had the cheek to start critiquing the oak flooring downstairs on his way out...!!
     
  8. Mark S

    Mark S Member

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    Update: Just found a 1 inch cut in the carpet near the door, it's about 10mm from the skirting and at a slight angle, so either his blade's slipped or he started making the wrong cut. And presumably thought it best to pretend it never happened! It's a loop pile polypropylene felt backed if that makes any difference.

    What would you do? Leave it, glue it, insist on replacement? Surely that's just going to fray and come apart over time?
     
  9. Rugmunching

    Rugmunching Well-Known Member

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    So he told you not to use your door because its tight?
     
  10. Mark S

    Mark S Member

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    Yes he said it was really tight and it might catch and pull up the loop pile so I'd have to get it removed and planed/trimmed before I use it :(
     
  11. Rugmunching

    Rugmunching Well-Known Member

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    Professional :D

    Is the cut you found in a corner?
     
  12. Mark S

    Mark S Member

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    No it's just inside the doorway so close to where you place your foot walking in and out of the room:

    upload_2021-9-10_17-39-27.png
     
  13. merit

    merit Well-Known Member

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    Don’t let him back in the house with a knife in his pocket. Absolute pirate


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  14. Rugmunching

    Rugmunching Well-Known Member

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    Hack n slash!!

    Have you checked your skirts for missing chunks?
     
  15. Rugmunching

    Rugmunching Well-Known Member

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    ....door looks a bit tight :)
     
  16. Mark S

    Mark S Member

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    Any thoughts on best option? Owner is phoning me tomorrow (he's off today) so need to know whether to empty back out / dismantle furniture, risk another bad job, or whether to cut losses and get a discount and glue it up?
     
  17. Adamjf82

    Adamjf82 Well-Known Member

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    Doesn’t look like it’s fitted that well anyway to be honest. The cut looks like he’s cut the drop wrong or he’s slipped with his knife.
    I don’t trim doors but if I think they’re going to be tight I’ll take them off. How he managed to get the carpet under the door of it really is that tight is a mystery
     

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