Carpet Seam Peaking: A Corrective Procedure

This procedure will not correct the appearance of the seam if it is not constructed in an acceptable manner, but it will correct seam peaking or seam elevation. It is important to note that the installed cushion has an effect on the success of this procedure. The recommended cushion is to be manufactured with a scrim and must have a minimum density factor of six pounds. The room is to be empty.

1. Remove carpet from tackstrip and pull it back to where the seam tape is visible. If the seam was
   originally constructed improperly on top of cushion, the tape left an impression on the surface of the
   cushion. Move to the right or left of this impression six inches and cut cushion. To identify the seam
   location later if it was correctly constructed, place masking tape at each end of the seam on the wall base
   BEFORE removing the carpet.
2. Pull the cushion back and apply the pressure-sensitive adhesive using a 1/16” x 1/16” x 1/16”
   square-notched trowel. Apply adhesive under the impression left on the cushion, approximately one-
   foot on both sides of where the cushion was cut. Allow the pressure-sensitive adhesive to become
   “tacky” before positioning the cushion into the adhesive.
3. Do NOT take the seam apart. Lightly sand the back of the seaming tape to remove silicone. It is not compatible with the adhesive.
4. Apply an adhesive that is designed for double-glue applications to the top of the cushion the width of a trowel (1/8” x 1/8” x 1/16” U-notched trowel), approximately 10-12 inches, directly over the impression of the tape. If six-inch tape was used, apply the adhesive to the width of 14-16 inches.
5. Position the carpet in the adhesive while it is wet in order to have sufficient slip time when stretching the carpet.
6. Immediately reinstall the carpet using the power stretcher. If necessary, stretch more on the length and less in the width. Stretch the carpet across the seam back to the original stretched position. Do not over-stretch!
7. After the carpet is edged into the gully, stretch the length of the seam using the required pressure to obtain a flat seam.
8. Roll the seam with a flat seam roller (not to exceed 35 pounds) to ensure that the adhesive was transferred into the backing of the carpet.
9. A flat weight, such as a 2 x 10 or 2 x 12, should be positioned over the seam for approximately 45 minutes. This will allow time for the adhesive to become tacky and pull the seam down.
10. Advise the customer that the area is not to receive foot traffic for 24 hours.

Remember, this procedure does not work if the cushion is not manufactured with a scrim or the density factor is not sufficient. The adhesive will migrate into the cushion causing it to collapse.

Before this procedure is attempted, always identify the cushion!