Handy carpet repair: patching a damaged spot

A carpet pro can be expensive, but doing your own carpet repairs can cut the cost of most repairs by up to two-thirds.  Here's how you can go about patching a damaged spot.

• You can patch a small hole, tear or burn in your carpet using techniques that will make the repair virtually invisible.
• First, you'll need a small "plug" of carpet that matches the damaged piece.
• If you don't have a remnant, you can steal a piece from inside a closet or underneath a piece of furniture you never intend to move.
• Before starting this repair, buy a carpet knife that has replaceable blades.
• You'll also need a roll of one-sided carpet tape.
• Be sure to choose heavy-duty tape that's reinforced with mesh, not the thin, flimsy version or the "hot-melt" type that requires a special iron to apply.

• To mark the area you'll cut out, part the carpet fibres around the damage as if you were parting your hair.
• Keep the part lines at least 1 centimetre (1/2 an inch) from the damaged spot.
• Cut along the parts using a sharp, new blade in your carpet knife.
• Next, cut a replacement plug, using the cutout as a template.
• Make a first cut in the replacement material, using a straightedge to guide your carpet knife.
• Then set the cutout on the replacement material with one edge aligned along that first cut.
• When you lay the cutout on top of the replacement material, make sure the carpet naps on both pieces are running in the same direction.
• Rub your hand over the carpeting and watch which way the fibres fall or stand up to tell which direction the nap is running.
• Once you have your cutout lined up correctly, part the fibres around the three uncut sides just as you did before.
• Cut along the parts and test-fit the plug in the cutout hole, making sure the nap of the plug matches the nap of the surrounding carpet.
• If the plug is a little too big, trim off a single row of fibres with sharp scissors.

• Cut pieces of carpet tape and position them in the hole without removing the backing.
• Cut the ends of the tape diagonally so the pieces will frame the hole without overlapping each other.
• The tricky part is getting the tape positioned so it's halfway under the plug and halfway under the surrounding carpet.
• After marking their positions in the hole, remove the pieces from the hole and carefully remove the protective backing from the tape.
• While pulling the carpeting up with one hand, slip the tape pieces back into the prepared hole one piece at a time.
• Be sure the edges of the tape line up with your markings.

• Now you're ready to fit the new plug into the hole.
• Pull the fibres of the surrounding carpet back from the edges.
• Push one side of your plug lightly onto the tape to make sure it's set exactly right.
• But be careful with placing your plug in the hole since the tape will adhere quickly so you really only have one shot at putting it in place.
• After you're sure the plug is placed correctly, use your fingers to work in the direction of the nap all the way around the hole as you press the plug down firmly onto each side of the tape.
• A carpet tractor will do the best job of meshing the fibres, but a seam roller or even a rolling pin will work too.
• Place a telephone book on top of the plug overnight.
• You can vacuum and clean your carpeting as you normally would, and this repair should last as long as your carpet does.

Keep this handy carpet repair guide in mind when you're next patching a damaged spot to help make the job easier.