How to Remove Carpet Padding From Floor

Remove glued carpet padding with a putty knife.

Carpet padding protects the carpet from the sub-floor and provides cushion to walk on. Normally when replacing the carpet, the old padding may need replaced also. The old padding may be stapled or glued to the sub-floor surface and removing the it requires certain techniques to not damage the flooring under the pad. Once you have removed the padding you can either replace with new padding and carpet, or with other types of flooring such as laminate or hardwood.

Things You'll Need

• Utility knife
• Pliers
• Mineral spirits or white vinegar
• Spray bottle
• Putty knife
• Adhesive remover
• Rags

Instructions

1. Cut the carpet padding using a utility knife. Start at one end of the room and cut one long line to the opposite side of the room. Move over 1 ft. and cut another long swath. Repeat till you reach the other end of the wall. After cutting lengthwise, cut the width of the carpet pad in the same manner.

2. Remove staples in the carpet padding with pliers. Grasp the staple with the pliers. Rock the pliers back and forth, loosening the staple, then pull it free from the padding. Remove all the staples from the padding.

3. Pour mineral spirits or white vinegar into a spray bottle to use as a solvent. Spray glued carpet padding lightly with the solvent. The solvent loosens the glue for easier removal.

4. Pull the carpet padding from the floor, or scrape glued padding with a putty knife. Lay the putty knife flush with the flooring and scrape the padding from the floor.

5. Pour 2 tbsp. of an adhesive remover onto a rag and wipe over any carpet padding glue remaining on the floor. Rinse the sub-floor clean with a damp rag and dry with a clean rag.

References

• Carpet Cleaning Tips: Removing Carpet Padding Stuck to a Hardwood Floor