DIY Home Projects
Removing Carpet


BLACK+DECKER B+D Contributor 120 Projects
Removing carpet is necessary if it has been badly damaged or you are ready to install a different type of flooring. It is time-consuming work, but you can save money by removing carpet even if you intend to hire someone to install new flooring. Carpet is either installed with tack strips along the perimeter of a room, with adhesive spread along the perimeter of the room, or with adhesive spread along the entire floor.
Wall-to-wall carpet is stretched and secured to tackless strips along the perimeter of the room. Once lifted from the strips, the carpet and pad can be rolled up. The tackless strips are often nailed down and must be removed. Cushion-backed carpet has a foam backing bonded to it. It is secured to the floor with general-purpose adhesive. When removing this carpet, pieces of the pad will stick to the floor. Removing all of the stubborn pieces requires time and a considerable amount of effort.