Poor carpet installation shows up quickly. If your carpet has ripples, waves, or areas that feel loose underfoot, it wasn’t stretched properly during installation. You shouldn’t be able to lift carpet edges more than an inch from the floor in the middle of rooms.
Check where your carpet meets walls and doorways. Properly installed carpet lies flat against baseboards without gaps or bulges. Visible seams, frayed edges, or places where you can feel the tack strips through the carpet indicate substandard work.
If your carpet developed these problems within the first year, it’s likely an installation issue, not normal wear. Quality carpet installation should last for years without rippling, buckling, or edge problems.