Seeing a gap between your carpet and wall is somehow irritating. It seems like the installation was unfinished or not successful at all. Believe it or not, most people are troubled because of that gap issue. And you are probably one of them, that is why you are here. But don't sweat it. We have researched how to seal the gap so you can get the job done!
To seal the gap between the wall and carpet, you must use one of the four options below:
- Silicone caulk
- Expanding foam
- Shoe molding or quarter round molding
- Adjust the baseboards (or replace them if needed)
And now that you have found the answer to your main question, we know that you want some elaboration of the procedures for each method. Also, we can sense that you still have some additional questions running through your head. So, we encourage you to sit still and read until the end of the article to accumulate more information.
The Importance Of Sealing The Gap
Sealing the gap between your wall and carpet will help you mainly make your home aesthetically beautiful, and it will save you money. Above all, we are talking about efficiency here. When there is a gap, the heating and cooling inside your home can escape.
And if you are to ignore that problem, expect that your HVAC will have to toil harder so it can adjust to the room temperature. And that will simply mean the more energy is consumed, the more money you will have to pay.
1. Silicone Caulk
It is only available to use when the gap is smaller than half-inch. If it is bigger, the silicone caulk can not cover it.
Procedure:
- The first step is to pull your carpet far from the wall. The farther, the better.
- The next step would be filling in the gap with the silicone caulk for sealing.
- Immediately wipe or rub off the caulk residue as you do the sealing.
- After finishing the seal, leave it be for 24 hours. Silicone caulk needs to dry completely before putting the carpet back.
Silicone caulks are not always clear in color. It has other colors such as white, black, and off-white. And that is what makes them ideal to use in most projects.
Check this Gorilla Clear Silicone Caulk on Amazon
How To Remove Caulk Stains In My Carpet?
Don't panic if your carpet has been stained by silicone caulk, and you don't even have to get frustrated. We can solve that easily.
All you need is a WD-40 spray to loosen up the caulk stains in the carpet. After spraying, it is advisable to let it sit for about 15 minutes. Then you need to brush or scrape it using a razor blade or a spoon. If you have chosen to use a razor blade, make sure that you do it gently and try not to cut the carpet's fibers.
Repeat the process above if the stain is not yet totally removed.
Do you need a WD-40 spray? Check this out!
Then the next thing you will do is to create a detergent solution. Get a sponge and dip it into the solution to wipe the stained area. Work it well to the areas that have been sprayed with the WD-40 to avoid any harm that it might give to children or pets. You can repeat it up to two times.
And lastly, rinse the carpet. You will need two clean cloths for this step. One cloth is for rinsing, and you need to dip it into clean and cold water and wipe the area. Another one is for drying all the wet areas in the carpet.
2. Expanding foam
This foam expands, and it can fill even a three-inch gap. It is a spray foam that is perfect for utility. Also, it is impressive when it comes to filling gaps and blocking airflow. Its container comes with a nozzle.
Before using it, you must prepare disposable gloves and eye protection. Also, you might want to provide a saw and sandpaper for the residue cleaning for later.
Procedure:
- Be sure that the area is free from grease, dust, and dirt.
- Check the temperature. It is not advisable to apply below 41°F or above 77°F.
- Put your disposable gloves on.
- Put and twist the nozzle into the valve of the can in a gentle way and away from yourself. As much as possible, do not try to bend the applicator or use too much force.
- Moisten the area you are going to use the expanding foam.
- Check the instructions in the bottle for how long you will shake it. But most spray foams are to be vigorously shaken for 15 seconds before use.
- The spray foam can be held and used at any angle. But if you want to achieve the optimum results, you should turn the can upside down then apply pressure to the applicator nozzle.
- You must start from the lowest point of the gap and work upwards. Make sure that you do not overfill since it will still expand. Remember to shake the spray foam regularly during the application.
- Optimize the expansion foam by spraying it with water occasionally.
- Wait for 5-8 minutes then you will see that the foam will be tack-free.
- The last step will be cutting off the excess foam and making it smooth using sandpaper. Although, you should do this step after 30 minutes of spraying to ensure that it was thoroughly dried and finished curing.
Click here to see Loctite Insulating Foam on Amazon.
3. Shoe Molding or Quarter Round Molding
Utilizing shoe molding and quarter rounds can boost the appearance and stylishness of your home. They can add spice and sophistication to your frames and baseboards. Both are versatile molding materials that can cover or conceal a gap between a wall and carpet. Use either one of them if you want an achievable polished look.
Shoe molding is also called Base Shoe and is painted to match the baseboard. Its curved shape is similar to a quarter round, although it sometimes varies because it can be styled differently and can be taller.
See 8 Foot Flexible Shoe Molding on Amazon.
Meanwhile, a quarter round is another molding material that essentially has a flawlessly defined curve and is typically paired with a baseboard.
See 8 Foot Flexible Quarter Round on Amazon.
Procedure:
- Prepare the quarter rounds molding, a hammer, finishing nails, a nail set, a jacksaw or hacksaw, a tape measure, and latex sealant.
- Measure the spot and cut the molding with the exact measurement as the spot you just finished measuring.
- After measuring and cutting the molding, line it up to the spot where you plan to install it. Lay it as flat as possible on the floor. And if you see a tiny gap between the molding and the wall, no worries, it is fine since we have the sealant to fill it up later.
- Once positioned, drive the nail into the molding. You will need to do it a little bit downward straight to the wall behind it and never to the carpet floor. Repeat it over the length of the molding, spacing nails 16-24 inches apart.
- Do not drive the nail fully if you don't want to dent the molding. It is where we will need the nailset to drive the nail all the way.
- After driving all the nails, you will now need to apply the sealant in the gap between the wall and the molding. Keep putting it straight. You can also put some on the head of the nails.
- The last step is you will now have to keep it smooth, drag your fingers along the seam. You can also opt to use sandpaper if it is a bit lumpy.
Adjust The Baseboards Or Replace If Needed
The baseboard is usually put in place first before setting up the carpet. That case results in having a little gap in-between them. Although you can try to do it the other way around. And that is the chance that you need to adjust the baseboard.
If you notice that the baseboard is too small or too big for your carpet, then that is the time to replace it.
Conclusion
If you see a gap between your wall and carpet, we highly suggest that you take action to it as soon as possible. This will not only make your home appealing to the eyes but also help you a lot in saving money.
Enjoyed it? Check these helpful articles before you go.
Does Carpet Make A Room Hotter Or Cooler?