Question about using a power stretcher on tight stair landings

I had a job last week in an old house near downtown. The landing at the top of the stairs was barely 3 feet wide and I couldn't get my power stretcher to fit right. I tried using a knee kicker instead and the carpet came out just fine. But now I'm wondering if I should have forced it with a smaller head attachment. Has anyone else had luck with a different approach on those awkward landings?

2 comments

2 Comments

the_phoenix17d ago

Are you using the standard power stretcher with the big black plate on the end? I had the same problem on a tight landing a few months back and what finally worked was flipping the stretcher sideways and using the shorter pole setting. You lose some leverage but it beats trying to jam a knee kicker into a corner and ending up with wrinkles later. Honestly, a knee kicker can work if the carpet is already pretty tight and you take your time stretching in small sections. But for a landing that small I'd rather fight with the power stretcher than risk having to redo it next year when it starts rippling. Just make sure you anchor the other end against the stair riser or a door frame if you can reach it.

joseph_baker17d ago

Man, @the_phoenix nailed that tip about anchoring against the stair riser - I once had a landing so tight I had to brace my stretcher against a heavy piece of furniture in the hallway just to get enough tension.