Partnered with a new helper and got a nasty surprise on a stair job

I was working on a split-level home in Tulsa last Tuesday, running a 64 ounce pattern carpet up a curved staircase. My new helper, a kid who swore he knew how to stretch, pulled the power stretcher so hard it popped the tack strip right off the landing and knocked a chunk out of the drywall. Has anyone else had a helper ruin a job and did you let them keep working?

2 comments

2 Comments

joel2807d ago

Man Ive been there. That kid needs to learn the hard way that you dont crank a power stretcher like youre trying to launch the carpet into orbit. Tell him to back the tension off and let the knee kicker do most of the work on curves. If he can take the criticism and fix his technique, keep him around. But if he gets defensive or makes the same mistake again, cut him loose before he costs you more money.

jackson.wesley7d ago

Launch the carpet into orbit" is gold. Yeah, if he can't take a little heat on that, he's gonna be a headache forever.