How Much Carpet Do You Remove When You Stretch It?

 How Much Carpet Do You Remove When You Stretch It?

At Premium Carpet Repair & Cleaning, one of the most common questions we get from homeowners is:
“How much carpet gets removed during stretching?”

If you're dealing with ripples, buckles, or loose carpet, stretching is the best solution. But let’s clear up some confusion about the process—and what actually gets cut or removed.

✅ The Short Answer:

Only a small amount of carpet—usually 1 to 3 inches—is removed during a typical stretch.

🛠️ Why Is Carpet Removed at All?

When we stretch your carpet, we’re pulling it tightly across the room to eliminate wrinkles and prevent future damage. Once it's re-tightened, there’s often excess carpet at the edges—especially if the carpet was poorly installed or has shifted over time.

To create a clean, professional finish:

• We trim the excess along the wall or threshold.

• We tuck the edge back under the baseboard or transition strip.

• If needed, we replace tack strips or re-secure the pad underneath.

📏 Factors That Affect How Much Carpet Is Removed

• Severity of the wrinkles – More severe ripples may require a deeper stretch and slightly more trimming.

• Room size & layout – Long hallways or open rooms stretch differently than smaller, segmented spaces.

• Installation quality – Carpet that was poorly installed or has loosened over years of wear often requires more adjustment.

❗ Don’t Worry About Losing Carpet Coverage

Even though we remove a small strip, it won’t leave your room with gaps or exposed flooring. Stretching is designed to maximize the use of your existing carpet, and we always make sure it fits seamlessly before completing the job.

🧼 Bonus Tip: Stretch Before You Clean!

If you’re planning to get your carpets professionally cleaned, we highly recommend stretching first. This ensures:

• A smooth, flat surface for a deeper clean

• No risk of setting wrinkles permanently during cleaning

• A longer-lasting, fresher look overall

📞 Ready to Refresh Your Floors?

At Premium Carpet Repair & Cleaning, we specialize in:

• Carpet stretching

• Carpet repair

• Steam cleaning

• Pet damage restoration

Call us today for a free estimate and bring your carpet back to life—tight, clean, and fresh!

📍 Serving Yardley, PA and the surrounding 15-mile area
📲 267-987-4503
🌐 premiumcarpetrepair.com