I have old dirty carpet over concrete, I want to remove the carpet.

Sharon
by Sharon
I want to use the concrete and make it into a floor instead of buying more carpet, tile etc. It's also a money issue. After I take out the icky carpet, how do I prepare and color it? I've seen gorgeous concrete floors, but it always starts with pouring fresh, new concrete.
  18 answers
  • Kletta Kletta on Sep 24, 2015
    Sorry I can't help you because i'd like to know too.
  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Sep 24, 2015
    There is reason to have to repour concrete.Clean the area with soap water let dry.If there is grease clean that up with tsp. Again let dry.Use a sealer for moisture and choose your paint.
    • Sharon Sharon on Sep 24, 2015
      So clean it then re-post concrete then seal it? I'm kind of confused by your statement.
  • Linda T Linda T on Sep 24, 2015
    I have this problem too. I know mine has been glued down and I am afraid to tackle it but find it disgusting. I hope you get lots of ideas.
    • Sharon Sharon on Sep 24, 2015
      I'm in the middle if tearing it out now. I think I'm going to do as much as I can by myself, then have a contractor do the color.
  • Lizzy L Lizzy L on Sep 24, 2015
    I agree with Janet.
  • Shari Shari on Sep 24, 2015
    I think it would help to know what you would like the concrete to look like. Do you want it painted a solid color? Do you want to paint it and then stencil a design on it? Do you want to stain it? Stain it to look like tile? There are so many options and once we know what vision you have for the concrete, we can offer guidance on how to make your vision a reality, or give you links for tutorials. If you aren't sure what you want it to look like, you might find it helpful to search "concrete floors" here on HomeTalk, the internet, or Pinterest to get some ideas of what others have done.
    • Sharon Sharon on Sep 24, 2015
      You know, I'm not 100% sure. I see so many awesome looking ways of doing concrete. I guess it will come down to what hubby and I agree on.
  • Danielle Danielle on Sep 24, 2015
    Here is a great article you should read to get started: http://www.concretenetwork.com/products-stains/surface-preparation.html
  • Mark Mark on Sep 24, 2015
    Strip the carpet from the floor and use Traffic Master flooring from Home Depot. Inexpensive, durable, looks great. Should cost a lot less than staining the cement.
    • Sharon Sharon on Sep 24, 2015
      Ok. What does it look like when it's done? Does it have any color?
  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Sep 24, 2015
    Sorry Clean the area with soap and water. If there is grease or any other grime that won't come off with soap and water use the chemical TSP. Make sure you seal the concrete to protect against moisture. Wait let everything dry and paint the floor with a concrete paint.
    • Katesavage Katesavage on Aug 20, 2017

      Thank you so much for your reply. It helped me soooo much!!! I'm going to overcome a big hurdle and get a couple of projects to the next step. Thanks again!!! Kate

  • Sharon Sharon on Sep 24, 2015
    Keep it coming. Getting great ideas.
  • Sharon Sharon on Sep 24, 2015
    Thanks Janet. I get it now.
  • Mark Mark on Sep 24, 2015
    http://www.homedepot.com/b/TrafficMASTER-Allure/N-5yc1vZdg1 Comes in many choices, goes down very easy and is durable.
  • Sharon Sharon on Sep 24, 2015
    Thanks again Mark.
  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Sep 24, 2015
    sharon let us know how you made out.
  • Taffetal Taffetal on Sep 25, 2015
    In my area of Canada, polished concrete is in, and I really like the look. It's rustic and chic at the same time. I would NOT paint it. Paint is a pain, short-term and long-term. My basement floor was painted and the inevitable humidity created by the cool temperature of the concrete make the paint peel, buckle, flake with time.
  • Ellie Ellie on Sep 28, 2015
    I think you would have to clean it like crazy, before staining it. other than that I'm not sure what the steps are. I've wondered about this myself so I'll be following this with interest.
  • Rose Estep Rose Estep on Oct 01, 2015
    My new house has carpet like this in the basement. I too am wondering what we will be able to do about it.. I found this site that specializes in flooring for basement and it looks like they may have something worth looking into. http://www.rubbercal.com/rubber-flooring/cellar-basement-flooring/
  • Kristin Topping Kristin Topping on Oct 23, 2015
    Instead of carpet, if you want to use concrete,it’s a good idea as it is indeed remarkably sustainable and stylish product, it can use as flooring because of its durability. It has a natural, contemporary look that's hard to beat. Not only is it hard-wearing and environmentally friendly, it adds character to a room.
  • Sharon Sharon on Aug 20, 2017

    Here is a tutorial how to prepare the floor from carpet to staining, you can also paint it with 2-part epoxy if you want the real high gloss floor. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HlD-a1rWqZU

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMhIEkweEaE

    Even if you stain it you should apply an epoxy clear coat on top to look better and resist stains.

    This going to be fabulous after seeing the carpet... how exciting!