Content

• To step
• Warnings
• Necessities
• Tip

Removing old carpet is the first step in laying a beautiful new floor. Even if you hire someone to install the floor, it is wise to remove the old carpet yourself. This saves yourself a lot of money and you can also be sure that the subfloor is well prepared (or preserved).

To step

1. Determine the ultimate goal of the renovation.
   • Do you want to use the floor that is under the carpet? In some old houses a beautiful wooden floor is hidden under ugly carpets. Pull up one corner of the rug to see what's underneath.
   • Do you want to install the new carpet yourself or do you hire someone to do it? In the latter case, you can leave the adhesive strips of the carpet in place. Ask the people you hire what you can do best.
   • Do you want to lay tiles, tarpaulin, laminate or another type of floor?
2. Before you start removing the carpet, think about what you want to do with it next. You can rent a container to dispose of it, but this will cost you some money.
   • If you have the carpet removed by someone else, it is best to inform them in advance so that they can include this in their quotation. Review the conditions for removing the carpet and installing the new floor so that you know exactly where you stand in advance.
   • Call the waste and recycling station where you want to return the carpet and ask how much it costs to return the carpet. Clearly state on the phone that it concerns carpet, because some stations charge extra for this.
   • Have a way to transport the old carpet. For example, you can rent a van or a trailer to do this. Search online for the possibilities.
3. Move the furniture aside so you can remove the carpet. You will need to be able to reach the entire floor. Therefore, make sure that you can store your furniture somewhere, for example in another room where there is no carpet. You can also temporarily put your furniture outside in the summer or rent a storage space.
4. Vacuum the old carpet. This is not necessary, but it ensures that the amount of dust that flies through the air when removing the carpet remains limited.
5. Wear a dust mask when removing old or damp carpet. Wear work gloves as you will encounter sharp edges, staples and sometimes even nails when removing. Make sure to wear sturdy shoes in case you accidentally step on a staple.
6. Pull up the edge of the rug near one of the walls. If necessary, use pliers to get a better grip on the fabric.
7. Use a utility knife to cut the carpet into strips and roll up these strips one at a time as you remove them.
   • If you don't want to damage the subfloor too much, it is better not to press the knife too hard through the carpet. This way you avoid scratching the subfloor. A good way to do this is to lift the carpet slightly off the floor before you start cutting. Another way to remove the carpet is to remove it all at once and cut it into pieces later.
   • Do not make the strips of the carpet too wide. Make sure that you can still lift a rolled up strip easily and that it is small enough to fit in the van, container or trailer.
8. Remove the protective layer from under the carpet. In many cases, there is a second layer of dust under the carpet that must also be removed. You usually cannot reuse this because the layer has become wet or is simply worn out, for example. This layer is often stapled to the sub-floor. If you pull up a corner, you can often easily pull these staples out of the floor. In some cases, however, you will need pliers to remove them. Roll up the protective layer in the same way as the carpet.
9. Carry the rolls of carpet out of the room.
10. If necessary, remove the adhesive strips. Use pliers or pry bar and tuck it under the strip. Make sure to wear gloves and goggles as the staples in the strip may pop out unexpectedly.
11. Remove the staples from the backing. Use pliers or a flathead screwdriver to remove the staples.
12. Clean the floor. Sweep or vacuum as necessary to remove remaining dust.
13. Edit the subfloor. This is the ideal opportunity to repair creaky parts of the floor and patch up damaged parts.
    • If the floor creaks, you can solve this by attaching the wood to the substrate better with wood screws.
    • Use a primer to keep old stains from showing through the new floor.
    • Straighten the floor and replace any rotten planks.
    • Paint the baseboards if necessary. Make sure to do this well before installing the new floor so that the paint can dry properly.

Warnings

• Adhesive strips can be quite sharp. Be careful!
• Removing carpet is hard work that involves a lot of mess.
• Stanley knives are incredibly sharp.

Necessities

• Work gloves
• Creasing knife
• Protective goggles
• Dust mask
• Shoes with thick soles
• Crowbar or flathead screwdriver

Tip

• If the carpet is glued you can use a carpet removal machine such as a carpet stripper or a tear off machine. Depending on the surface, you can determine which is the most convenient to use