With what should proper restretching be accomplished when water-damaged carpet has been disengaged from a wall?

Proper restretching of water-damaged carpet that has been disengaged from a wall requires the use of both a power stretcher and a knee kicker. A power stretcher is essential for obtaining the necessary tension across larger areas of carpet and ensuring that it fits securely against the wall. It allows for a uniform stretch that minimizes wrinkles and bulges, which is crucial for optimal appearance and longevity of the carpet.

The knee kicker is a tool used primarily for smaller areas and helps in positioning the carpet along edges and corners. While it is effective for tight spaces and final adjustments, it cannot provide the same level of tension across a wide expanse as a power stretcher can. Therefore, the combination of a power stretcher and a knee kicker achieves the best result in terms of both the aesthetic and functional integrity of the carpet.

Using only a knee kicker would not provide sufficient tension, leading to potential problems such as wrinkling or improper fitting. A manual stretcher may not offer the appropriate level of efficiency and ease for larger areas as compared to the power stretcher. A tack strip, while important for securing the carpet in place, is not a tool for restretching; rather, it serves as a means to hold the carpet edges in position