Had a weird gap in a hallway that my regular knee kicker couldn't reach

It was in a 1920s house in Tacoma, and the last three feet were tucked behind a built-in bookcase. I tried a regular power stretcher head but the angle was too tight. On a whim, I used a small pry bar with a scrap of carpet pad taped to the end as a cushion, and levered it into place from the side. It held long enough for me to get a staple in and trim the edge. Has anyone else found a weird tool that saved a tricky spot like that?

3 comments

3 Comments

grantf7313d ago

Isn't that just a modified carpet awl?

eva_adams6813d ago

Honestly, I always thought those little pry bars were just for trim work. Seeing how you used it on carpet is a total game changer for tight spots like that. Might have to add one to my bag for old houses with weird angles.

the_alice8d ago

Totally agree about those little pry bars. Used one last month to tuck carpet under a baseboard heater that was too tight for a knee kicker. Just had to slide it in flat and give it a gentle push. Works way better than trying to force your fingers in there and wrecking the pile. Honestly, it's become my go-to for any finish work on installed carpet now.