Steps to Fixing Some Carpet Damages

Removing a gum from a carpet:

• Scrape off as much of the gum as you can with a spatula, and then vacuum any loose pieces.
• Rub any remaining gum using a plastic bag of ice until such time the gum is frozen.
• Use the spatula again to chip away the frozen gum.
• Carefully apply a small amount of dry-cleaning fluid to dissolve any remaining traces of the gum. Blot up the dry-cleaning fluid.
• Blot the area with a solution of 1/4 tsp. of mild dishwashing liquid and 1 cup of warm water.
• Rinse the area thoroughly, but never soak it.
• If necessary, use scissors to trim out any fabric that still has gum on it.

Patching a carpet:

• Use a circular carpet patch tool to remove a small section around a deep stain, burn, or tear.
• Peel the cover tape from a piece of double-faced adhesive patch tape. Cut it larger than the hole, and fold it to insert it into the hole in the carpet.
• Use the carpet cutter or utility knife to cut a patch piece from a carpet remnant, and then press the patch firmly over the adhesive.

For larger carpet area:

• Cover the area to be removed with a piece of trimmed scrap carpet.
• Temporarily nail or tack the existing carpet around the edge of the patch piece so the carpet maintains tension when the bad part is removed.
• Use the patch as a guide to cut through the bottom layer of the damaged carpet.
• Remove the damaged section and install double-faced seam tape on the subfloor or padding around all sides of the hole.
• Position the patch and press it firmly on to the tape.
• Remove the temporary nails or tacks to release the tension.

Repairing a seam or tear in carpet:

• Pull the sides of the carpet together until they meet.
• Temporarily nail or tack the carpet in place on either side of the tear.
• Use a curved upholstery needle and lightweight monofilament thread to stitch the carpet. If necessary, use needle-nose pliers to pull the needle through the carpet backing.
• When the tear is sewn, secure the seam with a final stitch.
• You also can use carpet adhesive to mend the seam or tear, adhering to the instructions on the adhesive package.