Carpet Not Up Against Trim

The first step is to use the blue painter s tape to divide the carpet from the baseboard trim.

Carpet not up against trim.

Step 2 pull the edge of the carpet back 1 to 2 feet so you can see the underlying subfloor which may be. Then drag the blade in a straight line towards you. The adjoining ceramic tile butts up against this aluminum track but does not attach to it. Don t peel your carpet back when painting or staining baseboards or casings next to it.

Smooth out the carpet over the doorway and feel it with your hands to locate the area where it meets the other type of flooring. If there s already a carpet there cut it just a few inches longer than where you want to meet the tile. Tuck the extra edge of the carpet under the gap and use the hooks of the transition strip to hold it in place. This style makes use of an invisible aluminum strip tucked under the edge of the carpet with upward protruding spikes that grip the carpet.

Then use a liquid deglosser to clean the trim before you paint. This transition strip is designed to join low pile carpet to a ceramic tile floor. You want to place the tape underneath the baseboard trim to the best of your ability. Next place the tip of a utility knife against the carpet backing and press until it pierces the backing.

Pull the carpet over the top using a knee kicker. There s a better way. Place a straightedge on top of the carpet and cut along the line using a utility knife to trim off the excess.