How Long After Carpet Installation Can You Walk On It

There’s nothing quite as exciting as giving your home a brand new look. So, if you have recently had new carpets installed, you’re going to want to be able to use them as soon as possible. But many people worry about damaging or marking the carpet by using it too soon so how long after carpet installation can you walk on it?

The good news is that once your carpet has been installed, you will be able to walk on it right away. That said, we wouldn’t advise placing any furniture on the carpet for a while as this may cause marks and indentations. 

But there’s a little more to understand about using new carpet. In this guide, we’ll be telling you everything you need to know. 

Can I Walk On A New Carpet Straight Away?

While there are some things that should be avoided after carpet installation, walking on it is not one of them. Many people are concerned that they will damage the new flooring but quite the opposite is true. Unless you’re walking a baby elephant around the room, getting your feet into the carpet from the off isn’t a bad thing. 

You see, as you walk around the floor, this can help to press in the glue underneath making the carpet stronger and more secure. While the carpet will adhere to the subfloor without this, it can;t hurt to give it a helping hand. 

That said, you don’t want to go over the top. If you have a very busy household with a lot of foot traffic, it is recommended to go as easy as possible on your new flooring. As with anything else, it’s all about balance. Too much foot traffic on a new carpet could cause it to dent or crease. 

Related Article: Is It Better To Paint Or Carpet First

Why Does My New Carpet Show Footprints?

If your new carpet is covered in footprints, this isn’t something to worry about. These are the results of the fibres moving as they are stepped on and aren’t a permanent mark on the floor. 

However, some people do not like the look of these footprints so it might be worth thinking about the type of carpet you install. The longer and plusher the pile, the more chance there is that footprints will develop. If you have a very soft yarn carpet, then footprints will be very obvious. 

The type of carpet you have will also determine how long these footprints last. Some will be gone in just a few minutes while others can last days. Just keep in mind that these footprints are not an imperfection in the carpet. They are merely caused by the pile shifting and light reflecting off it at different angles. 

How Long After Installing Carpet Can You Put Furniture On It?

One of the other things that a lot of people ask when installing a new carpet is how long they’ll need to wait before putting their furniture back. It can be tempting to put it back the moment your carpet fitter leaves. After all nobody wants random pieces of furniture in the way around the house. 

However, it is essential that you give the carpet time to settle otherwise you may find that the furniture leaves permanent indentations. This is even more true of very heavy pieces of furniture. 

The reason for this is that the heavy furniture pushes the carpet down into the adhesive. If you were to remove the furniture while the adhesive was still wet, it would likely resolve itself. But if you leave it here until the adhesive dries, it’ll be stuck like that for good. 

Therefore, most carpet fitters would recommend waiting at least 24 hours before replacing your furniture. If you can wait up to 48 hours, this is even better. 

How Long After Carpet Installation Can You Sleep In A Room?

Many people are familiar with the notion that newly painted walls give off harmful fumes. However, few are aware that carpets can give off the same chemicals and this is not safe for your breathing.

These chemicals are known as VOCs and can be very bad for your health. For this reason, it is a good idea to wait before sleeping in a newly carpeted bedroom. In most cases, waiting between 48 and 72 hours is best. This is even more important if you are vulnerable to fumes which includes infants and the elderly, those with respiratory conditions and animals. 

Related Article: How Long Does It Take To Fit A Carpet

But of course, you’re going to want to get into your bedroom sooner rather than later so you can help the process along by ensuring that the room is well ventilated. The best way to do this is to open the windows and allow excellent airflow around the room.

If this is not possible, you can always place fans in the room. Or of course, you could go in all guns blazing and use both methods for an even speedier process. 

Conclusion

Having a new carpet can make your home feel fresh and inviting. However, you may not be able to use it straight away. The good news is that you can start walking over a carpet from the moment it is installed. That is as long as you don’t go over the top and allow heavy foot traffic for around 24 hours. 

When it comes to placing furniture on the new carpet, it is advised to allow 24-48 hours for the adhesive to dry. If you don’t, then you may find that the carpet has permanent indentations which can ruin its aesthetic appeal.