How Do You Seam Carpet Without A Carpet Iron

When it comes to joining your carpet seamlessly, you will need to make sure that you have the right equipment. Most carpet fitters will use what is known as a carpet iron to seam two pieces and ensure that the tape adheres leaving something that looks like one single piece of carpet. 

But if you’re doing a DIY job then you likely won’t have professional equipment. Moreover, is it really worth investing in a special carpet iron if you’re only ever going to use it once? The likely answer to that question is no. But you’re then left asking yourself how do you seam carpet without a carpet iron?

The good news is that you can do this using a normal household iron. But you will need to have it set to its hottest temperature in order to properly melt the glue. 

In this guide, we will provide you with some easy steps to seaming your carpet without the need for specialist tools. We’ll also explain everything you need to know to become familiar with the importance of seaming. 

What Does It Mean To Seam A Carpet?

If you are installing two pieces of carpet within the same room then there will naturally be a seam at the point where the two meet. This is completely unavoidable. The problem is that larger rooms especially require two different cuts for the carpet so you will end up with a seam. 

The idea is to bring these seams together as effortlessly as possible. The result should be that barely any seam is noticeable. That said, it’s almost impossible to make a seam totally invisible and if you’re having a carpet professionally installed then your fitter should explain this to you. 

However, there are ways that a professional fitter can create as seamless a join as possible and that’s where a carpet iron comes in. This tool is used to seam the carpets together giving a smoother finish. 

Can You Use A Regular Iron For Carpet Seaming?

If you do not have a carpet iron, which many DIYers don’t, then it is possible to use your regular household iron to achieve a similar result. It’s important to keep in mind that your clothes iron will be a different shape and is likely heavier than a carpet iron. You’ll also need to make sure to use it on the hottest setting.

Most carpet irons can get as hot as 450ºF whereas a household iron usually has an absolute max of 430ºF. This is why you’ll need to turn up the heat. Also, keep in mind that you’ll want to turn the steam setting on. This will ensure that the adhesive melts as best as possible and forms the strongest and neatest bond. 

How To Seam Carpet With A Regular Iron

If you don’t have a carpet iron and want to use your normal household clothes iron then you’re in luck. Here is our easy to follow, step by step guide. 

1. Start by cutting your piece of carpet to the right size and also cutting some carpet seam tape to the desired length.
2. Next, fill up your iron with water and allow it to heat up. Make sure that you have it turned up to the highest setting and activate the steam setting if this doesn’t happen automatically.
3. Take a white towel and soak this in some water. Then take it out and give it a good wring so that it doesn’t drip.
4. You’ll now need your two pieces of carpet which should be turned upside down. This allows you to place the carpet seam tape on with ease. If the carpet has already been laid then you can lift it up just enough that you can access the underside.
5. Now apply your carpet seam tape and ensure that there are no gaps between the two pieces. Make sure that the tape is central to both pieces of carpet and that the adhesive is down towards the carpet.
6. Take your pre-soaked towel and place this over the top of the carpet seam tape.
7. You will now need to use your iron and run this slowly over the whole seam. You’ll need to apply heat on each section for at least 15 seconds. The water on the towel will stop anything from burning so if it dries out, be sure to wet it again.
8. Once you’re done, check the seam to ensure it is secure and as invisible as possible. If you need to apply more heat, do so but always keep the pressure gentle yet consistent. 

Related Article: How Do I Stop My Carpet From Flattening

Conclusion

Installing carpet involves a lot of work and quite a few different specialist tools. If you fit carpets for a living then you’ve likely got all of the right equipment. However, if you’re a DIYer looking to install your new flooring as a weekend project, then you may not be tooled up for the job. 

While you could buy the right equipment, there’s often very little point if you’re never going to use it again. However, the good news is that, while things like carpet stretchers are a must, a carpet iron can be substituted. 

You can use your regular household iron to achieve the same results. It’s a relatively easy process that can be done by anyone. That said, we would always recommend using the correct tools for the job if you want to achieve the most professional results.