CFI Carpet Installation Techniques 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What condition must be met before installing carpet over a radiant-heated floor system?
- The system must be completely turned off for 30 days
- The system should be operating at normal temperature for at least 72 hours, then cooled before installation (Correct answer)
- No special preparation is needed for radiant heat floors
- The pad must be glued down before the carpet is laid
Correct answer: The system should be operating at normal temperature for at least 72 hours, then cooled before installation
Radiant heat floors should operate at normal temperature for 72 hours to normalize moisture content in the substrate, then be cooled to room temperature before carpet installation.
Question 2: When installing carpet in a doorway between two rooms, how should the seam be positioned relative to the door?
- Centered under the door when it is closed
- On the room side where the door swings open
- At the outside edge of the door stop on the pull side (Correct answer)
- At the hinge side of the door frame
Correct answer: At the outside edge of the door stop on the pull side
The seam should be placed at the outer edge of the door stop on the pull side so it is protected by the door when closed and hidden from normal view.
Question 3: What is the purpose of 'cross-seaming' in a large carpet installation?
- Creating decorative seam patterns for visual effect
- Joining carpet widths with seams that run perpendicular to the main seam direction to reduce waste (Correct answer)
- Strengthening a seam by sewing across it
- Applying seam sealer in two directions for a stronger bond
Correct answer: Joining carpet widths with seams that run perpendicular to the main seam direction to reduce waste
Cross-seaming runs seams in a perpendicular direction to utilize off-cuts and reduce material waste in large installations.
Question 4: How far should the nails or pins on tackless strips point toward the wall?
- Straight up (90 degrees)
- Angled at 60 degrees toward the wall (Correct answer)
- Parallel to the floor (0 degrees)
- Angled at 45 degrees away from the wall
Correct answer: Angled at 60 degrees toward the wall
Tackless strip pins are angled at approximately 60 degrees toward the wall so they grip the carpet backing and hold it in tension toward the wall.
Question 5: When a customer wants to install carpet over existing hardwood floors, what is the PRIMARY concern the installer must address?
- The hardwood color showing through light-colored carpet
- Height change at transitions and any loose or squeaky boards that must be secured (Correct answer)
- The direction of the hardwood grain relative to carpet pile
- Whether the hardwood was previously waxed
Correct answer: Height change at transitions and any loose or squeaky boards that must be secured
Loose or squeaky boards must be secured before installation to prevent noise and movement under carpet, and transition heights must be evaluated to ensure door clearance.
Question 6: What does a 'delamination' defect in carpet refer to?
- Separation of the primary and secondary backing layers (Correct answer)
- A dye defect where color separates into visible layers
- A cut pile that separates from loop pile in the same carpet
- Separation of the pad from the subfloor
Correct answer: Separation of the primary and secondary backing layers
Delamination occurs when the primary backing (holding the tufts) separates from the secondary backing, causing the carpet to lose its structural integrity.
Question 7: When calculating carpet yardage for a rectangular room measuring 14 feet by 18 feet, how many square yards are needed (before adding waste factor)?
- 18 square yards
- 21 square yards
- 28 square yards (Correct answer)
- 252 square yards
Correct answer: 28 square yards
14 × 18 = 252 square feet ÷ 9 = 28 square yards; always convert square feet to square yards by dividing by 9 for carpet pricing and ordering.
CFI Carpet Installation Techniques 5
What condition must be met before installing carpet over a radiant-heated floor system?