OT - removing carpet

[Bruce (VA)]

Any tricks or special tools needed to remove wall to wall carpet & pads?

Maybe I'm over-thinking it......looks like it's pretty straight forward. Pull up one side, find the seams, cut the seams w/ a razor knife & then roll it up in manageable pieces.

I tried offering the old carpet to the neighbors for their garages or shops.....that was like trying to get rid of summer squash.
 

[Tom in MO]

It"s usually pretty easy, Bruce, or at least any carpet that I"ve removed was - as long as nothing was glued down!

You"ll also need to remove the tack strip, which is tedious, but no problem. (Flat bar works pretty good.)

There"s really no need to find/cut the seams, unless you need to make the pieces of carpet small enough to handle - just roll it up and drag it out.

What"s underneath the carpet, and what are you going to replace the carpet with?
 

[pconnie]

i put old carpet on the ground outside my shop on top of gravel..it works really good..easy to find small parts..been on the ground 10 yrs. still is in good shape..easy to clean with leaf blower..also put on dirt in barn..n's like it..phil
 

[BigDanT]

If going back with new carpet you might ask the installers if they want you to leave the tack strip, i have seen where they will reuse if it's solid. I always cut the carpet to make removal easier, the jute backing will scratch painted and stained woodwork so be careful when rolling it up.Pad will most likely be stapled down, heavy 6 inch scraper blade works well for removing the staples(there will be lots of em too)...good luck
 

[Bruce (VA)]

Particle board underneath it. The plan is to replace it w/ wood. Hardwood or laminate. If it's going to be hardwood, then the particle board will need to come up as well.
 

[Tom in MO]

Sounds good, Bruce.

If you know up front that the particle board is coming out, you won't need to be any too careful when you're removing the tack strip and the staples in the pad, as Dan mentioned above.

If you do end up removing the particle board: I just recently helped tear some out, and a combination of moisture and the breakdown of the binders in the particle board had basically glued it to the subfloor! (That was a volunteer community project.)

Good Luck.

A personal note: I usually don't weigh in on OT threads, and especially on the N Board (I have a Ferguson TO-20), but this is the first time I've ever had anything semi-meaningful to contribute on a topic, tractor-related or otherwise!
 

[MarkWV]

Pad I have removed in 3 different houses was also stapled randomly, supposedly to keep it from moving. Was putting laminate down and had to pull old staples, was slow but not too much of an issue
 

[Bruce (VA)]

Thanks much for the tips & suggestions! Mission accomplished w/ no problems. I'll get it all out of the house & to the dump tomorrow......less what stays here for the garage, wood shop & front porch!
 

[DADinWa]

I did what others have done just cut it w/ a boxknife, so it's alot easier to pack out. The last time I pulled carpet up, I was hauling it to the dump when a guy in another truck motioned for me to pull over. As I found out he wanted the entire carpet for elk camp! saved me alot from having it discarded.
I might add, if you are thinking laminate, I would suggest "Real touch" from Dupont. We put it down in the kitchen and it looks and wears great! The type we got tuscan slate if my memory serves me right, even has the pad adhered to the back too.
 

[L. B,]

Bruce? When you offer your carpet your saying to someone " Want my dirt and lug it off for me too" If you had cats it considered the same as hate mail in some places, LOL Enjoy your new carpet.
 

[Hobo,NC]

I am going thru the same deal on a house I own that has been vacant a few years... I cut it off from the wall 6" are so grabbed the carpet and pulled it up... It also has particular board that's also coming up...

I use the carpet, and beer boxes in the garden to control weeds

Stapes to hold the carpet pad down,,, I had a zillion in the hard wood floor in my moms house,,, Those sears robo grip pliers were the hot ticket... I had the hard wood refinished it makes me wonder WHY carpet was put over it...