Carpet won’t lie flat, what to do now?

Q: The wall-to-wall carpet in our condo has developed several small raised humps in the middle of each room. What would have caused this, and how can I get the carpet to lie flat again? — Lawrence C., Watertown, Mass.

A: Newly installed carpeting has a tendency to stretch a bit, and everyday traffic shifts that carpeting around and creates ripples, or bumps. Improperly installed carpeting may also do this.

If the carpeting was recently installed, contact the installation company. Most installers will correct any issues or re-stretch the carpet within a certain time frame. If this is not possible, re-stretch the carpet yourself.

“You’ll need a couple of tools to do this properly: a sharp utility knife, a wide putty knife and a knee-kicker.

This aptly named tool, available at carpet-supply stores or equipment rental centers, grips the carpet firmly and slides it into place with a jolt from your knee.

“Remove furniture from the room and inspect the carpet, noting any damage or loose seams. Then, take your trusty putty knife and move to the side of the room. Carpet is generally tucked underneath the baseboard along the wall but not firmly attached; instead, a thin strip of wood with several metal pins jutting up out of it is placed about a half-inch from the baseboard and the carpet is laid on top of it.

“Use the putty knife to pry about a foot of carpet from under the baseboard, then lift the carpet edge off of the pin strip.

“Use this pried-up portion to measure the depth of the prongs on the underside of the knee-kicker: they need to be long enough to grab the mesh carpet backing, without grabbing the padding underneath. Adjust the prongs using the knob on top of the kicker.

“Move to a corner of the room where the carpet is firmly attached. Press the knee kicker prongs into the carpet about two inches from the baseboard. Thrust your knee straight into the kicker’s rubber cushion.

“Then, holding the kicker in position with your knee, use the putty knife to tuck the little bulge of carpet under the baseboard. Work your way around the room.

“If the carpet bulges remain, or the carpet moves easily under the knee-kicker, use the utility knife to trim the edges of the carpet (do one side at a time between stretches, running the knife along the bottom of the baseboard for a straight cut), and then re-stretch and re-tuck until the bulges are gone.

HOME TIP: Glass cleaner and a scrap of carpet of the same type can be used to clean up small, tough stains from carpeting. Spray the cleaner onto the stain, let it soak in and then scrub clean with the carpet scrap.