Key Takeaways
- Professional edge repair: $75–$200 depending on room size and cause
- Tack strip replacement: $50–$100 per wall if strips are broken
- Transition strip fix: $30–$75 per doorway
- Common causes: Failed tack strips, improper stretching, humidity, heavy traffic
- DIY difficulty: Medium—requires knee kicker and basic tools
- When to call a pro: If tack strips are broken, carpet is too short, or edges keep coming loose
Why Carpet Edges Come Loose
Tack strips fail. These are the wooden strips with angled nails that grip the carpet backing. They’re nailed or glued to the floor along the perimeter. Over time, the nails rust, the wood splits, or the adhesive gives out.
Improper stretching during installation is the other main cause. If the installer used a knee kicker instead of a power stretcher, the carpet was never tight enough. Edges pull loose within a year or two.
Humidity causes carpet to expand and contract. In summer, the carpet swells and pushes away from the walls. In winter, it shrinks and the edges slip off the tack strips.
Heavy traffic near doorways loosens edges. People step on the edge as they walk through. The constant pressure pulls the carpet off the tacks.
Vacuuming too close to the edge can catch the carpet and pull it loose. Beater bars snag the edge and yank it off the tack strip.
Pets digging at doorways or corners pull carpet loose. Cats especially like to scratch at carpet edges.
Old carpet has brittle backing. When you try to re-tack it, the backing tears. At that point, the carpet needs carpet replacement.
What Professional Edge Repair Involves
The installer lifts the loose edge and inspects the tack strip. If the strip is intact, they pull the carpet tight with a knee kicker and press it back onto the tacks.
A knee kicker is a short tool with teeth that grip the carpet. The installer hooks it into the carpet a few inches from the edge, then kicks the padded end with their knee. This pushes the carpet toward the wall and stretches it over the tack strip.
If the tack strip is broken, they remove it and install a new one. Tack strips cost a few dollars per eight-foot length. Replacement takes fifteen to thirty minutes per wall.
If the carpet edge is frayed, the installer trims it straight with a carpet knife. A clean edge grips the tacks better.
After re-tacking, the installer tucks the edge down into the gap between the tack strip and the baseboard. This is called tucking. A flat tool—a stair tool or tucking tool—presses the edge into the gap.
For doorways, the installer secures the carpet with a transition strip. This is a metal or wood strip that holds the carpet edge in place. If the existing transition strip is loose or broken, they replace it.
The whole process takes thirty minutes to an hour per room, depending on how many walls are loose.
Tack Strip Replacement Details
Tack strips are nailed or glued to the subfloor. On concrete, they’re glued. On wood subfloors, they’re nailed.
Removing old tack strips without damaging the subfloor requires care. The installer pries them up with a flat bar, working slowly to avoid gouging the floor.
New tack strips are cut to length and positioned about half an inch from the wall. This gap allows room for the carpet edge to tuck down.
The strip is nailed or glued in place. On concrete, construction adhesive works. On wood, finish nails every six inches hold it.
The angled nails on the tack strip must point toward the wall. If they point the wrong way, the carpet won’t grip.
After installing the strip, the installer stretches the carpet over it and tucks the edge. If the carpet won’t reach, it was cut too short during installation. At that point, you need to either replace the carpet or accept a visible gap along the wall.
Transition Strip Fixes at Doorways
Transition strips cover the carpet edge where it meets tile, hardwood, or another carpet. They’re screwed or nailed to the subfloor.
If the strip is loose, the screws may have pulled out. The installer removes the strip, drills new holes, and re-screws it. Wood subfloors are easy. Concrete requires anchors.
If the strip is bent or broken, they replace it. Standard transition strips cost $10 to $30 at hardware stores. Specialty finishes—oil-rubbed bronze, brushed nickel—cost more.
The carpet edge tucks under the strip. The strip holds it in place. If the carpet is too thick or the strip is installed wrong, the edge won’t stay put.
Some transition strips are tack-down style. These have built-in tacks that grip the carpet. Others are clamping style. These press the carpet down with a metal lip. Clamping strips work better for thick carpet.
For stairs, transition strips are called nosing. These sit at the edge of the top step where the carpet meets the landing. Loose nosing is a tripping hazard and should be fixed immediately. Learn more about stair carpet safety.
When DIY Edge Repair Works
If the tack strip is intact and the carpet just needs re-stretching, you can do it yourself. Rent a knee kicker from a tool rental shop—about $15 to $30 per day.
Hook the teeth into the carpet a few inches from the loose edge. Kick the padded end with your knee. The carpet should slide forward and catch on the tacks.
Once it’s hooked, use a stair tool or wide screwdriver to tuck the edge into the gap between the tack strip and baseboard.
This works for small areas—one wall, one doorway. If the entire room is loose, you need a power stretcher, not a knee kicker. Power stretchers aren’t practical for DIY use.
If the tack strip is broken or missing, DIY gets harder. You have to remove the old strip, cut and install a new one, then stretch the carpet over it. Possible, but time-consuming.
If the carpet edge is frayed or torn, trimming it straight requires a sharp carpet knife and a steady hand. Uneven cuts look bad and won’t grip the tacks.
If the edge comes loose again within a week, the problem is deeper—improper stretching, bad padding, or a too-short carpet. Call a professional for a full diagnosis.
When to Call a Professional Instead
If multiple walls are loose, the carpet needs full-room stretching. This requires a power stretcher and takes two to three hours. See our guide on carpet stretching.
If the tack strips are broken in multiple spots, replacement is tedious and time-consuming. A professional does it faster and cleaner.
If the carpet is too short to reach the wall, no amount of stretching will help. You need a professional to assess whether the carpet can be pieced out or needs replacement.
If the edge keeps coming loose no matter how many times you re-tack it, the installation was bad from the start. The carpet was never stretched properly. A professional has to redo the entire installation.
If the subfloor is damaged—rotten wood, crumbling concrete—the tack strips won’t hold. The subfloor needs repair before the carpet can be secured.
If you’re uncomfortable using tools or working on your knees, hire someone. Edge repair is cheap enough that DIY isn’t worth the hassle unless you enjoy it.
Edge Repair in High-Traffic Areas
Doorways and hallways see the most traffic. Edges loosen faster here.
Metal transition strips hold up better than plastic. If you’re replacing a transition strip in a high-traffic doorway, spend the extra $10 for metal.
Double-sided carpet tape can reinforce edges that loosen repeatedly. The installer tapes the carpet to the subfloor before stretching it over the tack strip. This adds grip but makes future removal harder.
In commercial settings, glued-down carpet is standard. No tack strips, no loose edges. Residential installations almost never use glue because it makes replacement a nightmare.
If you have a hallway that constantly loosens, consider a runner rug instead. The rug takes the abuse, and you can replace it without touching the carpet.
For basements with moisture issues, edges loosen because the tack strips rust or the adhesive fails. Fix the moisture problem first—dehumidifier, vapor barrier, or sump pump—then repair the edges. Learn more about basement carpet maintenance.
Preventing Edges from Loosening Again
Keep humidity stable. A dehumidifier in the basement and a humidifier in winter prevent expansion and contraction.
Vacuum carefully near edges. Lift the vacuum head at the wall instead of running it into the baseboard.
Don’t let pets dig at edges. Trim their nails and redirect scratching behavior.
Use doormats at entrances. Mats catch dirt and moisture before it reaches the carpet. This reduces wear on edges.
Don’t drag furniture across carpet edges. Lift and carry, or use furniture sliders.
If the installer didn’t use a power stretcher originally, the carpet will loosen again. Re-stretching with a power stretcher is the only permanent fix.
For doorways, check transition strips annually. Tighten loose screws before the strip pulls out completely.
Cost Comparison: DIY vs Professional
DIY edge repair costs $15 to $30 for knee kicker rental plus your time. If you already own a knee kicker, it’s free.
Professional edge repair costs $75 to $200 depending on how many walls or doorways need work. This includes labor, materials, and the trip charge.
If the job is simple—one loose doorway—DIY makes sense. If it’s complex—three walls and two doorways—hire a professional.
Factor in your time. A professional finishes in an hour. DIY might take half a day if you’re unfamiliar with the tools.
Factor in the risk of mistakes. If you tear the carpet edge or damage the baseboard, the repair costs more.
Professionals carry insurance. If they damage something, they fix it. If you damage something, you eat the cost.
For urgent repairs, professionals win. They bring all the tools and materials. You’d spend half a day tracking everything down.
For a detailed cost estimate, use our carpet cost calculator.
FAQ
How much does it cost to fix a loose carpet edge in Ottawa? $75 to $200 for professional repair. Single doorways or walls are cheaper. Multiple walls or broken tack strips cost more.
Can I fix a loose carpet edge myself? Yes, if the tack strip is intact and you can rent a knee kicker. Hook the carpet and stretch it back over the tacks. For complex issues, hire a professional.
What is a tack strip? A narrow wooden strip with angled nails that grip the carpet backing. It’s installed along the perimeter of the room to hold the carpet in place.
Why does my carpet keep coming loose at the edge? Failed tack strips, improper stretching, humidity, or heavy traffic. If the edge keeps loosening, the carpet needs full-room stretching or the tack strips need replacement.
How long does it take to fix a loose carpet edge? Thirty minutes to one hour per room. Simple doorway fixes take fifteen minutes. Multiple walls or tack strip replacement takes longer.
What tools do I need to re-tack carpet? Knee kicker, stair tool or wide screwdriver for tucking, and a carpet knife for trimming frayed edges.
Do I need to replace the tack strip? Only if it’s broken, rusted, or missing nails. Intact tack strips can be reused.
Can you glue carpet edges instead of using tack strips? Yes, but glue makes future removal difficult. Tack strips are standard in residential installations because they allow easy replacement.
What is a transition strip? A metal or wood strip that covers the carpet edge at doorways where it meets other flooring. It’s screwed or nailed to the subfloor.
How often do carpet edges need re-tacking? Every few years in high-traffic areas if the original installation was poor. Properly stretched carpet should stay in place for ten years or more.