What Causes Carpet to Bubble Up?

Bubbles are fun and relaxing when they’re in your bath. But when they’re in your carpet, they’re unsightly and can ruin the aesthetic of your room. The question, “Why is my carpet bubbling up?” has several answers. This guide will help you determine the cause of your bubbling carpet and explain how to fix it—either by yourself or with the help of a pro.

1. Moisture or Humidity

High humidity or excessive moisture are the most common reasons carpets bubble up. If you live in a climate with high humidity, the moisture in the air can seep into the carpet, causing it to swell and buckle. The carpet will likely return to its usual state once the humidity levels decrease.

A carpet with excessive moisture can also bubble up. The moisture could be leftover from carpet cleaning, a flood, or a major spill. Clean up moisture from the carpet immediately to prevent bubbling, and use a fan or dehumidifier to help dry the carpet faster.

2. Improper Installation

Wall-to-wall carpet must be properly stretched and secured with tack strips when installed. If installed incorrectly, you might notice bubbling and buckling on your carpet. You can fix this by stretching the carpet to remove wrinkles and buckling. 

As a DIY job, stretching a carpet takes around five hours and is best for homeowners with previous DIY experience. Alternatively, you can hire a local carpet stretching pro to fix the issue.

3. Dragging Heavy Furniture

Did you recently rearrange your furniture? If so, this could be the reason your carpet is bubbling up. When you drag heavy items over a carpet, it can tug it and stretch it out. This stretching can eventually cause the carpet to buckle in places.

Rather than dragging furniture, try lifting it when you move it. If the items are too heavy to lift, place a sheet of plywood over the carpet and gently push the item onto the plywood. Lay a second sheet of plywood next to the first one and move the furniture onto that one. Repeat as many times as needed to move your furniture without stretching your carpet.

4. The Wrong Underlay

Carpet underlay or padding helps protect the underside of your carpet from damage, helping it last longer. It also makes your carpet feel more plush underfoot when walking on it. But if you use the wrong type of padding, it can cause the carpet to bubble up.

When installing a new carpet, check that your installer uses the correct type of underlay. A carpet installation company near you will know exactly what underlay to use, so you won’t need to worry about your carpet bubbling up.

5. Loose Backing

Broadloom carpet has two backings that help bind it together. If the secondary backing detaches from the primary one (this is known as delamination), the carpet can move around more freely, may buckle, and cause bubbles to appear.

Delamination can happen if your carpet gets wet, so take care when steam cleaning and use fans to dry the carpet quickly. It can also result from a manufacturer defect; in that case, your warranty should cover carpet repair or replacement.

DIY vs. Hiring a Pro

In many cases, you can fix a bubbling carpet yourself. However, it will depend on what’s causing the bubbling in the first place. If high humidity is the culprit, installing a dehumidifier can help flatten the carpet. It’s also wise to clean up spilled liquid immediately and use a fan to dry out the area.

However, if the carpet bubbling is caused by improper installation, the wrong type of padding, or loose carpet backing, you’ll probably need to hire a pro to fix your carpet. The repair may be a simple carpet stretching session, or you might need to have it reinstalled or have the padding replaced. A handy homeowner may be able to tackle these projects themselves, but it’s time-consuming and can lead to further issues. A local carpet repair company can fix the problem quickly and return your carpet to its original (and flat) state. Carpet repair costs $130 to $280, depending on the carpet size and material and the type of repair needed.