Installation Instructions

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Edge Ravel – A condition of yarn loss in installed carpet when the edges begin to fray.
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.
High Moisture Carpet Adhesive – This is an adhesive that will work in a high moisture
environment, however it does not act as a moisture barrier. See adhesive manufacturer for
warranty information.
Knee-kicker – This is an installation tool designed to position carpet, hook and secure
carpet onto the tack strip and also perform stair installations. [NOTE: A knee kicker is not
for stretching carpet.]
Open time – The earliest time interval between the spreading of adhesive on a substrate
and the placement of a floor covering material into the adhesive for bonding.
Patching – Floor preparation process of filling holes, cracks, and imperfections, etc., in a
floor substrate prior to installation of carpet
Pattern bow – This is a distortion visible as wavy or crooked pattern lines when viewed
across carpet width.
Pattern elongation – This is a variation of cumulative pattern measurements from one
breadth/width to the next. It is often referred to as “pattern run-off” or “Length Pattern
Repeat (LPR)”. [Sequencing of cuts minimizes effects.]
Pattern skew – This is a distortion visible when the pattern on one side is slightly ahead of
the pattern on the other side. Skew, or bias, describes pattern squareness.
pH – A value representing the concentration of hydrogen ions in gram equivalents per liter
used to indicate the acidity or alkalinity (base) of a substance on a scale from 0 to 14 with 7
representing neutrality, numbers less than 7 increasing acidity, and numbers greater than 7
increasing alkalinity. [Use distilled water for laboratory and field testing for pH.]
Plasticizer – A substance incorporated into polyvinyl chloride polymer or other polymers
to increase flexibility and workability.
Power stretcher – A carpet tool used to stretch carpet. Consists of a pinned plate or
cotton head that grips the carpet, tubular extensions, a padded end used to brace against an
opposing wall or other structure (dead man), and a lever system that multiplies the
installer’s applied stretching force.
Primer – A preparatory coating placed on a substrate or material to promote adhesion and
neutralize pH.
Riser – The upright part of a step between two stair treads.
Sealer – A product used to reduce the porosity of the substrate.
Seam – The joints or interface of two pieces of carpet by the use of various securing
techniques.
Seam adhesive – A specifically formulated adhesive for securing and protecting cut edges
of carpet to be seamed.
Seaming Devices – Tools designed to melt seaming tape.