How to Remove Carpet
A carpeted floor looks and feels lovely, as long as it is not withered by age. An old carpets looks dull and is a bit rough on your feet. Worst of all, removing the flooring is a tedious job, especially if it covers your entire floor. You will need to move appliances and furniture, aside from prying the carpet off of the floor. Luckily, there is a strategy that makes the job much easier.
Step 1: Set a Day to Move Your Appliances and Furniture
Any hard task, including removing a carpeted flooring, becomes simpler if you practice proper organization. If your home is packed with furnishings, better set a day to store and segregate them. You can place them in accessible corners, so they can be moved after removing carpet from the nearby areas. Asking help from your friends and neighbors is advisable, particularly for moving large and heavy items like cabinets and refrigerators.
Step 2: Cut the Carpet into Strips
Removing the carpet in one piece is a nearly impossible feat, even if you have companions. What you can do is, cut the carpet into strips using a sharp utility knife. The ideal size for the strips is 3 x 3 feet, which covers a huge chunk of the carpet yet still easy to carry. Piecing up the carpet also minimizes the carrying or moving of furniture. By doing so, you can simply nudge a fixture to cut and extract a carpet strip.
Step 3: Remove the Carpet Tacks
After slicing the carpet down into strips, remove the tacks attaching the carpet to the floor. They are firmly planted to the floor and the carpet’s outer edge, so you will need some tools to pry them loose. A hammer, a flat screwdriver or any flat sturdy object usually gets the job done. Once they have been removed, throw them away immediately. You wouldn’t want step on them while removing the carpet strips.
Step 4: Remove the Carpet Strips
With the carpet separated into smaller pieces, you shouldn’t have trouble extracting and collecting the pieces. Remove the carpet strips then stack them in your garage. Upon their removal, dirt, carpet glue, and portions of the carpet pad will probably remain. Use a utility knife to pry them loose then sweep them off your floor with a broom or a vacuum cleaner.
All’s Fair in Love and Carpet Removal
As you can see, a single day isn’t enough to remove a large carpet flooring. Better do it over the weekend, or if it’s not possible, set a detailed timetable for the removal. Seek the help of of professionals or your friends, so you can cover much ground at the soonest possible time. All your efforts will soon be rewarded upon the arrival of your new carpet.