How to Remove Old Carpeting

With the many new floor products on the market it is easier for do-it-yourselfers to install their own flooring. If old carpeting is being replaced, the carpeting will need to be removed before installation can proceed. It is a good idea to wear long pants when doing this, as the particles disturbed during the removal process might irritate the skin. Wearing a dust mask is also a good idea, to prevent breathing in the pollutants.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Furniture moving equipment
• Vacuum cleaner
• Sharp razor box cutter
• Heavy electrical tape
• Large trash bags
• Metal scraper
• Pry bar

1. Call your disposal company. Many disposal companies will pick up discarded rolled carpeting, yet they may have size restrictions. You will want to know the roll sizes that are allowable. If pickup is not available, you will need to make other arrangements for proper disposal.

2. 

   Remove the furniture from the room. Use moving equipment to lighten the load and protect your back.

3. Vacuum the carpeting thoroughly. It is a good idea to clean the area before you begin the removal to keep the dust or air pollutants at a minimum.

4. Begin at one corner of the room and move away from the corner, about two feet (or whatever the allowable roll width is for your disposal company.)

5. Cut a straight line from one end of the room to the opposite end, keeping parallel to the wall to your side. Use a sharp straight edge and press down, cutting through the carpeting.

6. 

   Pull up the strip of carpet and roll up. If the room is large, you may need to make several rolls from the strip, depending on the size allowable by your disposal company.

7. Secure the roll with heavy tape and move over to cut another row. Continue until all the carpet is removed.

8. 

   Pull up the carpet padding and place in a large trash bag. The carpet padding, below the carpeting, can usually be pulled up by hand.

9. 

   Scrape off any carpet padding stuck to the floor, use a metal scraper.

10. Pry up the carpet strips, using a pry bar. These will have nails in them and should be handled with care.

11. Vacuum the area before adding the new flooring.

[goodselfme]

on 9/28/2009 This is such a complete assortment of tips in removing carpeting with safety tips included.TX 5*