The appearance of an entire room can be adversely affected by fraying carpet. Additionally, the loose carpet fibers can continue to fray and unravel enlarging the deteriorated area. The best time to deal with a fraying carpet is immediately upon noticing the problem. Using the proper glue early in the problem can prevent an escalating problem.
The Glue
Non-water based glues work best for fixing frayed carpet. This prevents the glue from breaking down if the carpet gets wet. Glues dispensed by a hot-glue gun fit into this category and are commonly used to seal fraying carpet.
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Preparing the Carpet
Pull away any fibers completely loose from the carpet backing. Clean the carpet and allow it to thoroughly dry before applying the glue. This is especially important if the fraying was caused by pet actions which may also carry moisture and dirt into the carpet. Apply the hot glue and press the fibers into position and allow the glue to dry. This may only take a few minutes depending on the hot glue used.
Seams
Most carpet fraying problems occur along the seam between two segments of carpet. This can require applying the hot glue to both segments of the carpet and then gluing the two segments together. This can salvage a situation that might require replacing the entire room of carpet at a fraction of the cost. Continue to monitor the repaired area and apply additional glue if any further fraying is noted.
Bigger Carpet Problems
Larger frayed areas, or portions with burns, can require additional effort but do also utilize the hot-glue method. Use a utility knife to cut the damaged area from the carpet. Use this segment of carpet as a template to cut a replacement segment from a closet or other low visibility area. Use the hot-glue to fasten the carpet in place. Allow the glue to dry before allowing foot traffic on the area.