Repair a Damaged Carpet

If the damaged area of carpet is large, it is possible your homeowners insurance will pay for new carpeting. So do not hesitate contacting your insurance company if your carpet is badly damaged.

However, if the damage is not that great, you can take a page from the experts to cheat fate and repair the damaged carpet.

Using a razor blade, shave off the burned or melted ends of the carpet, trying not to cut to deep. However, depending on the depth of the damage, it may be necessary to cut fairly deep into the carpeting.

Next, find an area of carpeting you can scalp for fibers to transplant over the damaged area. Often, a corner inside a closet or under a radiator will provide these strands. Better yet, a remnant is the perfect source for these carpet fibers.

Continuing with this surgery, use a toothpick to apply a strong adhesive to the bottom quarter of the fiber. Then use a thin screwdriver to push the fiber into place on the damaged carpet. Repeat this process until you have filled the missing or damaged fibers.

Wait 24 hours for the glue to completely set and then shave back the new fibers until they are the same height as the rest of the carpet.

Another option for repairing carpet is to actually cut out the burned or melted section. Follow this by cutting out a similar size piece from the closet. However, most people have success cutting a triangle piece from the burned and the replacement carpet. Also, the replacement piece should be slightly larger than the piece it is replacing.

During this surgery, cut all the way through so you also are removing the backing of the carpet. (It may be necessary to use a pliers to pull up the carpet around the new piece.) Take the replacement piece and fit it into the hole cut out where the damaged piece had been.

As the new piece was cut slightly larger, arrange it to fit underneath the existing carpet. Next, using a toothpick, apply an adhesive underneath the fitted piece making sure no glue comes in contact with the carpet fibers.

Lastly, place a chair leg over the glued piece for 24 hours. Do not vacuum for at least 48 hours.

Remember, though, these are not perfect methods. The wearing down of carpet, and the shading of carpet exposed to sun, may be much different than carpet found in a closet. On the other hand, the repair may be barely noticeable and certainly beats purchasing new carpet.

So whether you are trying to save your home's carpeting, or trying to outfox that landlord who would just love to hold onto your damage deposit, try repairing damaged carpet before purchasing new carpeting.