Graft job today

[Heathrow]

Seam pulls - ended up being bigger than what I thought due to customer sewing long pulls together and covering the issue quite well. Once I got into it I was dealing with pulls up to 8" long.
Here's the first one on one seam:

That one actually came our really well. However I was not so happy with the next seam which was in a high traffic area. The grafts really stood up and to make things worse the layer hadn't matched up the seam to start with very well (can't really tell from the photos) and I couldn't get it looking bang on.

The last pic makes it look a lot worse than it is, and the custy understands that it may take some time to flatten and blend in. She's over the moon but I'm still not 100% pleased with it.
Very nice condition carpet for 10 years old.
I think I'd like to redo the one nearest the camera in the last shot,I'm going back to do the lounge suite next week so will have a look at it then.

 

[Jack May]

Awesome start there Heath!!!

John

 

[Heathrow]

Thanks mate - even better is the fact I was able to post the pictures without mucking it up

It's not the first graft I've done for a customer but thought I'd post it to see if I could have done better on this one. Because it was straddling both sides of the seam in that second lot of pics, I'm wondering if I could have cut the secondary backing away as well to get lower, and rely on the tape underneath for strength??

 

[Cousin]

Heath, try a bit of steam on those grafts. If you don't have a steaming machine, an iron over a damp towel will do.

It will flatten the pile a bit more.

You just want some moist heat in there, and not too much.

Find out which way the rest of the pile has lain over, and when you get the grafts 'steamed', just push them over in the same direction.

It will take a bit of practice, but will help you get the results your looking for.

And make sure the client knows to stay off the steamed bits for 48 hours, while moisture regain equalises back again. The pile will be quite supple during this time, and you want it to set in the direction (flat!) you left it in.

And you're one up on me Heath. I haven't done a seam graft. Good job.


M

 

[Stevea]

Heath,

Great job, you are doing great. Glad to see you posting photos also.

SA

 

[Harry Myers]

Heathrow,
You could have used a steamer as M said. That was 1 option. Or you can also mat down your new patch with a rubber mallet. Or even a hammer tapping it lightly.

 

[Jack May]

A little white chalk on that top one would blend that difference in nicely.

Keep up the good work and keep posting photos.

John

 

[Mark Imbesi]

Heathrow,
You could have used a steamer as M said. That was 1 option. Or you can also mat down your new patch with a rubber mallet. Or even a hammer tapping it lightly.

ROFLMAO, Harry! I guess that's the difference between the US and the Kiwis. We intimidate (hammer), they finesse (steam).

AWESOME WORK, Heathrow!

 

[Heathrow]

Thanks for the feedback guys. I did actually have a go at the grafts with a hammer. I find the steam suggestion interesting and I'm wondering if I should try that. I'll see how it looks next week.
Cheers

 

[Cousin]

ROFLMAO, Harry! I guess that's the difference between the US and the Kiwis. We intimidate (hammer), they finesse (steam).

Hey Marc, 'Aussies'. Some of us are Aussies, not head tattooed Kiwis :wink: