Articles & Advice

Boston Carpet Repair

by Matt Goering

See if We Have Top-Rated
Boston Carpet Repair in Your Area

Top Pros:

Carpet Repair Contractors in
Boston, MA

Carpet

In a town as old as Boston, people known better than to write off a carpet just because it has been around a while. If your carpet is showing its age, but still hasn't outlived its life, you might be amazed at the new life a simple carpet repair in Boston can bring to your home. Whether you need to repair burns or tears, or you're experiencing other common carpet maladies such as rippling, buckling, or pulling up at the tack strips, repairing your carpet is an easy, and very cost-effective alternative to replacing your carpet altogether.

Boston Carpet Repair Costs How much can you save with a simple carpet repair in Boston? Purchasing and installing new carpet can cost you thousands of dollars for an entire home. Compare that to an average cost of $240 per repair based on the data we collect from post-project surveys, and you're looking at savings in the thousands if you choose to repair, rather than replace, your carpeting. Of course, if it's time, it's time. All carpets wear out at one time or another, and there's a lot to be said for the looks and comfort of brand new replacement carpeting. Chances are that your carpet still has some life left, however. If that's the case, undertaking a repair is definitely the way to go.

Common Boston Carpet Repairs - DIY How can you tell if your carpet is a candidate for repair? When it comes to Boston carpet repair needs, you're usually talking one of two problems. The first is an isolated blemish, such as a tear or a burn, and in many cases you can repair this type of damage yourself. It works best if the problem is in a less obvious area, such as along a wall or behind some furniture, and if you're not overly concerned with how "seamless" the final repair will turn out.

  • Trimming Damaged Carpet Fibers—Sometimes a DIY repair is as easy as grabbing a sharp pair of scissors and trimming off the offending carpet fibers, as long as the damage is topical. Be very careful that you don't trim too short, however. This can end up being a lot like trying to fix a bad haircut, since not knowing when to stop can easily make the problem worse rather than better.

  • Applying a Replacement Patch—Your other option is to remove the area of carpet that has been damaged and replace it with a fresh piece, either from carpet leftover from installation, or, if need be, from a inconspicuous area like the back corner of a closet. Use a can or glass as a measuring stick to make sure you cut your replacement patch the same size as the piece of damaged carpet you remove, then use a piece of carpet tape to firmly attach the new patch of carpet into the vacant area. You can even weave carpet fibers from the new patch into the old carpet base to create a more seamless repair. It won't be perfect, but most people will have to look hard to notice it.

    Of course, not everyone is comfortable taking a pair of scissors or a utility knife to their carpet, and if you're a perfectionist, you're better off staying away from this one. In either case, your other option is to hire a pro to do the job for you. You'll have to pay for the visit, but when a professional is through with the damaged area, even you will have a hard time recognizing where the damage occurred.

    Boston Carpet Repair: Re-stretching and Reattaching Loose Carpet The other common carpet problems that often surface before a carpet has lived out its life is rippling and buckling caused by loose carpet. More often than not the culprit here is poor initial installation, since a properly installed carpet should last 10 to 15 years without having any problems of this sort. Nevertheless, loose carpet is unsightly, and can present a safety hazard if it occurs in high traffic areas. The answer is almost always re-stretching and reattaching your carpet. Both are relatively easy repairs for a professional who knows what they're doing, and the process will make your carpet look like new in a matter of hours. In the words of a past Bostonian who used ServiceMagic to find a carpet repair contractor for their loose carpet issues: "It was a very cost-effective alternative to replacing the carpet. Definitely worth it." Short and to the point, as carpet repair should be. If you're looking for an alternative to replacing older carpet altogether, carpet repair in Boston is a very sound alternative.

    Matt Goering, formerly a carpenter and house painter, is a freelance writer for the home improvement industry who has published over 600 articles.