Carpet patching

CIGARETTE burns, drag marks and tough stains can really be a nuisance, especially if they are on noticeable spots on your carpet. However, these nasty stains and unsightly holes don’t have to ruin the whole carpet.

If that cigarette gets out of hand and burns the fabric of your carpet or if that stain is too tough to handle, patch it. But, before you start cutting decorative patterns, here are a few steps to follow. 1 Cut out the entire damaged area with a utility knife. Do this with just one cut on each side and avoid cutting through the carpet pad. 2 Use the cut-out piece as a pattern to cut a new piece. Be sure to match the direction of the pile. 3 Spread carpet adhesive on the exposed carpet pad and on the back of the patch. 4 Put some adhesive under the edges of the carpet surrounding the hole as well. 5 Press the patch into the hole and rough up the pile with your fingertips. 6 Let the glue dry for about six hours and then vacuum the patched area.

If you accidentally cut the carpet pad, fasten it down with a piece of wide duct tape.

Be sure to have extra matching carpet, or get a remnant at the carpet store.

Take your damaged piece along when you go to the store to help you find a good match.

For cigarette burns, cut or sand away the burned ends of the carpet fibres. Cut fibres will simply blend in if they’re only slightly shorter than the surrounding carpet.

Use carpet fibres from an inconspicuous portion of carpet elsewhere in the room or from a matching remnant and attach them to the cut fibres using household glue.

One alternative is to shave it off. Use a slightly used disposable razor. Gently shave the burned area and the surroundings. This way you can blend in the cut area better. Just shave less and less as you widen the cut area.

Be mindful that this can only be used to carpets that haven’t been burned to the pad. Those that have need to be replaced. In the meantime, hold on to the sticks and always have an ashtray handy.