Cartoon: Trash Talking Installer. Copyright 2011 by Troy Johnson
What is rowing when it comes to carpet? Rowing is a technique where an installer prepares the carpet edge before seaming. One alternative is to cut the carpet from the backing side of the carpet. This is usually done with a metal straight edge. The problem with this technique is the carpet tufts can be randomly cut if the carpet fibers are accidentally cut through by the extremely sharp razor the installer uses.
In rowing the installer cuts from the fiber side of the carpet. The installer works to recreate the gauge of the carpet, which is the distance between the carpet tufts. This space, or gully can be 1/8" of an inch, or less. Sometimes a bit more. The installer works from the top running an awl, pen that has no ink in it, or like tool, and works to run the row going in the direction of the length of the carpet. When satisfied he has opened the row and the row is indeed running true and straight the installer uses a tool such as a top cutter which has a blade that cuts at the base of the carpet fiber. The idea is to not cut the fiber, and to cut the carpet in such a way to recreate the gauge when two freshly cut edges are placed together for the seam. If done properly this method of preparation enhances the seam look considerably.
This cartoon deals with a fictional carpet installer wanting to use a spaghetti noodle as his tool to open the row. Obviously nearly impossible. Some carpet rows are not tufted directly in a straight line. This is in berber terms for example could be what was once called a zipper stitch berber, or a berber that has a zig zag pattern in the fiber layout. All this aside, it would indeed be very difficult to prepare a seam in this manner.
Perhaps there is a trash talkin installer out there who might attempt it. Best wishes!
Troy Johnson
The Carpet Fix
Carpet Repairs and Installation in the DFW area
214-962-8846
Like us on Facebook! http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Carpet-Fix/192126900869871?sk=wall
In rowing the installer cuts from the fiber side of the carpet. The installer works to recreate the gauge of the carpet, which is the distance between the carpet tufts. This space, or gully can be 1/8" of an inch, or less. Sometimes a bit more. The installer works from the top running an awl, pen that has no ink in it, or like tool, and works to run the row going in the direction of the length of the carpet. When satisfied he has opened the row and the row is indeed running true and straight the installer uses a tool such as a top cutter which has a blade that cuts at the base of the carpet fiber. The idea is to not cut the fiber, and to cut the carpet in such a way to recreate the gauge when two freshly cut edges are placed together for the seam. If done properly this method of preparation enhances the seam look considerably.
This cartoon deals with a fictional carpet installer wanting to use a spaghetti noodle as his tool to open the row. Obviously nearly impossible. Some carpet rows are not tufted directly in a straight line. This is in berber terms for example could be what was once called a zipper stitch berber, or a berber that has a zig zag pattern in the fiber layout. All this aside, it would indeed be very difficult to prepare a seam in this manner.
Perhaps there is a trash talkin installer out there who might attempt it. Best wishes!
Troy Johnson
The Carpet Fix
Carpet Repairs and Installation in the DFW area
214-962-8846
Like us on Facebook! http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Carpet-Fix/192126900869871?sk=wall
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