Installation Guide

5
DEFINITIONS OF TERMS
adhesive – A substance that dries to a film capable of holding materials together by surface attachment.
[Applying adhesive to the floor normally is accomplished with a trowel, airless spray, or roller.]
adhesive transfer – When installing carpet, the degree of coverage and/or penetration of the applied adhesive
into the back of carpet, while maintaining full coverage of the floor. [The degree of coverage may be
influenced by adhesive type, method of installation, open assembly time and other factors.]
alkali – A soluble substance with base properties and having a pH greater than 7.
attached cushion – Cushion material permanently bonded to the back of carpet and rugs by the manufacturer.
baseboard – A board skirting the lower edge of a wall, covering the junction of the wall and the floor.
bow – A distortion visible as wavy or crooked lines when viewed across carpet width or length.
calcium chloride test – ASTM F1869 test method that is used to obtain measurements of moisture vapor
emission rates over concrete substrates.
carpet cushion – Material placed under carpet to provide resiliency, support, insulation qualities and noise
reduction. Also referred to as carpet lining, padding, or underlay, although “carpet cushion” is the preferred
industry term.
conditioning – The process of allowing the substrate, carpet, cushion and sundries to relax or acclimate to the
proper environment into which it is to be installed as described in the text.
dead man – A device used in carpet installation to provide a point of resistance for facilitating stretching
procedures. Construction is a board with strips of tack strip attached to the bottom side.
direct glue down – An installation method whereby the carpet is adhered to the floor using the proper
adhesive.
double glue down – An installation method whereby the carpet cushion is first adhered to the floor, and the
carpet is then adhered to the cushion using the proper adhesives.
Double-headed mini-stretcher (crab stretcher) – Hand device used for stretching carpet in a confined area
and aligning patterns where a power stretcher cannot be used and is not practical. Also used for removing
fullness at seams and closing gaps at seams.
dry line – A length of line or cord, which is stretched slightly above the carpet, but not touching the carpet, and
used as a visual reference in pattern alignment. Lasers also may be used in this capacity.
gully – The distance between the tack strip and the wall. A gully should always be slightly less than the
thickness of the carpet and not exceeding 3/8 inch.
HVAC – Acronym for “heating, ventilating, and air conditioning” referring to indoor climate control systems.
knee-kicker – An installation tool designed to position carpet and move it onto the tack strip. [NOTE: With the
exception of stair installation, knee-kickers should only be used for positioning and hooking the carpet onto
the tack strip and not for stretching carpet. A power stretcher, i.e. mechanical stretching device, should
always be used for stretching carpet during installation. See definition of power stretcher.]
modular carpet – Carious shapes and sizes of carpet precut during manufacturing with applied backings.
Backing materials include thermoplastic PVC, polyethylene, polyolefin, bitumen, polyurethane and other
compositions for cushion and dimensional stability. Also referred to as “carpet tiles.”