Removing carpet from concrete floor

Question

How hard is it to removed carpeting from the floor? We are thinking of doing this ourselves to save on reno costs. Any suggestions?

Hannah V · Answer

Check out this post! http://www.hometalk.com/diy/floors-ceilings/how-to-remove-old-stinky-carpet-a-complete-step-by-step-guide-2078604 good luck!

Brenda Lawrence · Answer

The video is great advice. We had concrete foundation under pad at our house so it was literally pull, cut, haul. One word of advice - if you don't already have a shop vac, buy or rent one before you start. You will be shocked at the dirt that has worked its way down to the bottom of the flooring after years of use. Then there are the carpet fibers that will be everywhere. Use a shop vac, not your regular vac.

Straight Nails Construction · Answer

What is your plans after the carpet is removed? You should have a 'tack strip' that the carpeting was stretched to, and this will have to be removed as well. Depending on the material that will go down after, you may have to patch some of the holes created by the nails on the tack strips.

Jeanette S · Answer

Before you start, remember to cover your air ducts so this junk won't get in them. If it is glued down, it will be much more work, but it can be removed. i would rent one of those electric devices that vibrates to loosen tile from flooring...that will help an awful lot. Cut the carpet in about 2' wide strips to make it easy to roll up and haul out. I would suggest stacking it in rolls and then handing it out a window for a shortcut to the trash pile and not to drag it through the house! If you are not repainting, drape the window casing and wall underneath with a drop cloth (or old blanket) to protect it while handing off the carpeting. Once you have the carpet and/or pad up, the residual padding stuck to the floor can be removed only with brute work...a large wire brush attached to a drill or the vibrating device.

Anna Schultz · Answer

Depending on how long the carpeting has been there, it can be really disgusting!! We did ours and it was hard and dirty, but worth the money we saved at the time. Some parts came up really easy and some we had to take a 'scraper/ putty knife' to remove the pad portion that was still glued to the floor, and of course the tack strips will get you if you aren't careful. Hope it comes out ok.

B. Enne · Answer

If it is glued down, an outdoor ice chopper works wonders, if you have one. A straight garden hoe would work too.

Colorado · Answer

Hi ...I did it..it is glued down it can be a chore, some glue now (newer) are water based so easier to remove, if it is older glue you local rental yards have some helpful tools (heat scrapers) if they have them as Jeanette S mentioned............................................Just don't put a timeline on it no rushing and you will get excellent results..... Good luck...Oh get some knee pads :)

Removing carpet from concrete floor

How to Remove Old Stinky Carpet: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide

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Removing carpet from concrete floor

How to Remove Old Stinky Carpet: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide

Suggested Project Book