Remove Your Carpet in Eleven Steps

How to remove your carpet

Tired of your old carpet? Here are the simple steps to remove your carpet and get ready for new flooring.

1. Decide what you will be doing after the remodel

What do you want to do after you remove the carpet? Many older houses have hardwood floors beneath their carpets, so it’s possible you can keep that and restore it. Would you rather lay down new carpet? Do you want to use tile, vinyl, or another type of hard floor? Decide before you start your remodel.

2. Where will the old carpet go?

Since carpet is a heavy item, it may cost money to dispose of. If you are having someone come in to install a new floor, you can ask them to haul it away. However, make sure to tell them in advance so they can factor the disposal into the overall cost. If you are getting rid of it yourself, call the dump or wherever you send your trash to find out what they charge for carpet disposal.

3. Remove the furniture

To remove your carpet, you will need full access to your floor. Move your furniture to another room, or if you don’t have space, outside or to a storage area.

4. Vacuum the carpet

While this is an optional step, it does help down the road. Vacuuming the carpet cuts down on dust as you pull up the carpet.

5. Dust mask

While working, wear a dust mask and heavy work gloves. Gloves will protect you from any staples, tacks, or carpet edges. Wear thick-soled, closed-toe shoes to protect your feet from tack strips or staples.

6. Remove the carpet

Go to any edge of the carpet and start to pull up the edge of the carpet. Using a utility knife or carpet knife, start to cut the carpet into manageable strips, rolling the strip as you go. Be careful not to cut too deep if you are trying to salvage the floor underneath. Make sure that the strips you are cutting can be moved and can fit in whatever is being used to transport the old carpet away.

7. Remove the carpet padding

Most times, carpet padding will also need to be replaced, if you are planning on getting new carpet. Carpet padding is usually stapled down. Just as you did with the carpet, pull it up and cut it into smaller strips and roll it up.

8. Remove tack strips

If tack strips are in good condition, you may be able to keep them. Ask the company who is putting on your new floor if they want to keep them. If not, use a flat bar and wedge it underneath the tack strip.

9. Pull up staples

Use pliers and a flat-bladed screwdriver to get underneath the staples left behind from the padding.

10. Clean the floor

Sweep or vacuum any leftover debris from removing the carpet.

11. Prepare for new flooring

Apply a stain-blocking primer. This prevents old stains from coming through the new carpet. Replace any water-damaged wood and level the sub-floor. Finally, touch up the paint on the baseboard and around the bottom of the door frames.