It’s a good idea to make a careful decision about where you want to run your cable, to avoid creating a trip hazard. You may even want to make a sketch of the room before beginning to help you visualize the best spot to place the cable. Try to run the cables as close to the wall as possible so you won’t step on them when you’re walking. There may even be a hollow space there which will make it easy to tuck the cable out of sight. [1] X Expert Source Jacob PischerHome Improvement Specialist Expert Interview. 4 September 2020. Avoid placing the cable under heavy furniture, and try to minimize the distance that your cable has to travel.
This is especially important before you start installing the cable under the carpet, so that you avoid losing the cable underneath the carpet, or making any unnecessary incisions in your carpet. [2] X Research source
To tell if your cable is safe, check that the jacket or the outer layer of the cable is intact, and that there is no exposed wire. Most cable installation under carpeting should be completely safe, but if you’re in the attic of an older home, check under the carpet for old electrical wiring before beginning this process, as you will want to avoid overlapping with these wires.
For larger furniture like sofas and coffee tables, it may be useful to enlist a friend’s help in safely moving your furniture.
If one end of your cable is permanently attached to an appliance, use extra care when pulling the cable under the carpet, and be sure the device is switched to the “off” position.
Do not completely remove the liner, but rather loosen it enough that you can pull up the carpet that is tucked underneath.
If your cable is already permanently attached to an appliance, pull up the carpet on the opposite end of the path from where the attached cable is located. This ensures that you can pull the cable back through with ease later on in the installation process.
The wire from the fish tape should follow the same path where you would eventually like to place your cable. [8] X Research source It is helpful to lift the carpet up with your hand at the same time as you unwind the wire and guide it under the carpet. It may be helpful to ask a friend to assist you in lifting the carpet as you go. If you do not have fish tape handy, you can use a measuring tape instead. If you’re using a measuring tape, pull the measuring tape out and push it underneath the carpet along the path that you want the cable to take. [9] X Research source
If you are using a tape measure, make sure to switch it to the “locked” position so that the tape does not get pulled back through the carpet.
If you are using a tape measure instead, try using duct tape to attach your cable to the end of the measuring tape. [11] X Research source Be sure the cable is securely attached to the fish tape or measuring tape so that you don’t lose the cable underneath the carpet and need to start over.
Apply the same method if you’re using a tape measure. [12] X Research source
In pulling the carpet out, you may have also loosened nails in the floor. Use the hammer or mallet to gently tap on the carpeted area as well, to ensure that the nails are set back in place. [14] X Research source
