PSA: a trick for getting a clean seam on those tricky polyester berbers

I was wrestling with a job in a Denver condo last week, trying to get a seam to lay flat on a dense, low-pile polyester berber. I remembered an old-timer telling me to use a standard iron on a low setting, about the 'wool' mark, to gently heat the backing before taping. I was skeptical, but it softened the adhesive just enough for a perfect bond without any fuzz melt. Anyone have a different method for these stubborn carpets?

2 comments

2 Comments

margaretj409d ago

Oh nice, that iron trick is wild lol. So you're heating the backing right before you put the tape down? How long do you let it cool, or do you tape it while it's still warm? I'm just picturing the adhesive getting all gooey and making a mess.

quinn_nelson8d ago

Wait, you're putting the tape on the backing? I heat the actual wall surface with the iron first, just for a few seconds to get it warm and dry. Then I press the tape on right away while the wall is still warm. The heat makes the adhesive stick way better, but it doesn't get gooey because you're not heating the tape itself. Letting it cool first would totally defeat the point.