Carpet Removal Project: 3 Useful Tips and The Tools You'll Need

After years of use and many ambitious deep cleanings, you might be ready to part ways with your carpet flooring because it's too high maintenance. It's time to think about removing the carpet. Carpets are available in many colors, textures, and styles; but they're also prone to attracting dirt, debris, and various allergens. Learn how to get rif of old, worn-out carpet from your home before installing brand new floors with this step-by-step guide.

The Disadvantages of Carpet

For homeowners who live in colder parts of the country, carpet can add comfort by keeping their feet warm during the winter. However, it might be easier to have a different type of flooring, such as hardwood floors, tile, or laminate, if you have multiple pets or a member of your family has severe allergies, or perhaps you're updating a high traffic area such as a mudroom. Depending on the size of your home and your lifestyle, maintaining carpet can be a full-time job, and you may have to deal with the following:

Excessive pet hair
Unwanted moisture and mold growth
Trapped odors
Debris buildup

If you're planning on switching to hardwood floors or a new type of flooring, you can remove carpet yourself before having professionals handle the flooring installation. Use the following guide and DIY checklist to safely dispose of old carpeting.

Getting Started: The Supplies and Tools Needed for Removing Carpet

You'll get the most value out of this DIY project by doing it right the first time. Save money and avoid any potential complications by taking the necessary steps to ensure a safe and thorough removal of your old carpet. By investing in the proper tools to remove carpet, such as a carpet knife, pry bar, and carpet stretcher, which typically won't exceed $150 in cost, you'll be equipped with everything you need to tackle this task efficiently. Not only will this save you from the expense of hiring a contractor, but it will also give you the satisfaction of accomplishing the project on your own while maintaining a reasonable budget.

The Right Tools

Pry bar
Utility knife
Hammer
Duct tape
Locking pliers
Floor scraper

Protective Equipment

Dust masks
Knee pads
Safety glasses
Work boots

Do not attempt to remove your carpet without the appropriate protective equipment. Carpets sit on top of sharp tack strips and have abrasive backings that can cause injuries. To ensure your safety during the removal process, it is crucial to wear heavy-duty work gloves, safety goggles, and knee pads. Don't forget to use plastic sheeting to cover nearby furniture and doorways to reduce the spread of dust during the process. These protective gears, along with the necessary tools to remove carpet, will shield your hands from potential cuts and punctures, safeguard your eyes from flying debris, and provide cushioning for your knees as you work on the floor. Additionally, wearing a dust mask is recommended to prevent inhaling dust and allergens that may be stirred up during the removal. By prioritizing your safety with the right equipment, including the essential tools to remove carpet, you can confidently tackle the carpet removal while minimizing the risk of accidents and ensuring a smooth and successful DIY project.

Step-By-Step Guide to Remove Your Old Carpet

Step 1. Start the removal project by pulling on the corner of a room's carpet. It's important to do this with gloves on because of the staples in the subfloor and the tack strip, which are lined with tacks or nails. If your carpet is relatively new and can't be pulled easily, use the utility knife to rip up a corner and pull an edge free. Cut larger sections as you go to pull the carpet up faster.

Step 2. Use the utility knife to slice the carpet up into strips to make the sections easier to roll up and neatly stack. When you remove the carpet, you can leave the rolled up carpet in a corner of the room so that it isn't in your way. The weight of the carpet should be enough to keep it neatly rolled, but using duct tape will make it easier to have a tighter roll and easier to move them around.

Step 3. Beneath is a layer of carpet padding that is usually stapled to the subfloor in sections. You should be able to grab the carpet pad at the seams easily. Then, roll up the carpet pad and secure it with duct tape to create a stack next to the rolled-up carpet. If you notice hardwood flooring beneath your carpet, you can refinish this layer and use it as your new flooring, depending on its thickness and integrity. Floor that is in good condition can easily be touched up after you remove your old carpet.

Step 4. Inspect your subfloor for any damage or issues that may be difficult to address after installing a new floor. Watch out for squeaky or sinking panels, rusty nails, and leftover staples. Check the square footage carefully to make sure everything is accounted for before you move on to carpet installation or other upgrades.

Step 5. Unless you plan on installing a new carpet, you'll need the pry bar to remove the tack strips. Find the nails and place the bar next to them to lift the tack strip. With your hammer, you can wedge the pry bar further in to lift the tack strip more easily. It's important to wear knee pads to avoid injuries via the tack strips. You can use a pair of pliers to remove any pesky nails that may have been left behind the tack strip.

Step 6. Clean and sweep up the area to prepare it for any new flooring you plan on adding. A broom and shop vacuum are useful for this.

Preparing for New Flooring Installation

Once you’ve cleared the space, it’s time to plan for the new flooring installation. Whether you’re adding tile, laminate, or hardwood floors, make sure the subfloor is clean, smooth, and dry. Some homeowners opt for professional installation, but handy DIYers can also take this on with careful planning.

Removing Carpet From Your Stairs

Removing carpet from a staircase is a similar process, but there will be a bit more repetition:

While wearing gloves, cut the carpet with the utility knife near the risers, which are the vertical planks between each step. Remove and collect the staples and tacks used to secure the carpet as you progress.
If there's metal nosing at the head of the stairs, use the pry bar to remove it before pulling up the carpet. As you work your way down, cut the carpet into strips so that you can roll up each section and put it aside.

How to Dispose of Your Old Carpet

Getting rid of the old materials will be easier and faster if you roll up and tape the discarded strips of carpet and carpet padding. If you don't know whether your local garbage collection service will get rid of these materials, consider renting a dumpster to ensure a speedy cleanup. You can toss everything into the dumpster, including the tack strips, and if you happen to have old couches or furniture, you can take advantage and toss that too! If your carpet isn't the only flooring that needs an update, take a look at our guide on removing ceramic floor tiles. With the proper tools, you can get any home renovation done easily, including removing your old carpet. Like with any renovation, you're bound to have a ton of debris left over that you'll need hauled away.

Tips for a Smooth Project

Before you start, measure the square footage of the rooms you’re working on. This helps you estimate how much time, labor, and dumpster space you’ll need. Plan ahead to cover doorways and vents, have your tools ready, and wear all recommended protective gear. Bin There Dump That offers an array of Residential Friendly dumpsters that can be conveniently scheduled for pick-up and drop-off at your convenience. We offer affordable pricing for rentals used for full-home carpet removals, as well as excellent customer service. We've worked with homeowners across the United States to help them complete a wide variety of renovation projects, including removing carpet from their homes. To schedule a roll off dumpster rental, find a Bin There Dump That location near you.