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Learning, Sharing, and Teaching => Ask a Mustachian => Topic started by: crazy jane on July 12, 2015, 03:11:56 PM

Title: Carpet removal
Post by: crazy jane on July 12, 2015, 03:11:56 PM
I removed part of the carpet from my basement today. Any tips regarding all aspects of this process would be greatly appreciated.
Title: Re: Carpet removal
Post by: bobechs on July 12, 2015, 03:30:20 PM
Now get rid of it.

I know, that's only one aspect.  But don't neglect it.
Title: Re: Carpet removal
Post by: Self-employed-swami on July 12, 2015, 03:34:23 PM
Cut it into 5-6 feet sections, and then roll them up, and tie with string or something.  Save some of the under padding to wrap the tack strips in.  You can take the tack strips up with small pry bars.
Title: Re: Carpet removal
Post by: forummm on July 12, 2015, 03:39:04 PM
If you want better responses, more info might be helpful. Otherwise all I can think of is stuff like "throw it away" or "prepare the surface for the next flooring", etc.
Title: Re: Carpet removal
Post by: Another Reader on July 12, 2015, 03:43:17 PM
Tack strips should not be removed if you are going to put down new carpeting, unless they are damaged.  If you had water damage, the tacks will be rusted and the strips cannot be reused.  If you are going to tile or put down laminate or hardwood, the tack strips must be removed.
Title: Re: Carpet removal
Post by: Self-employed-swami on July 12, 2015, 03:44:46 PM
Tack strips should not be removed if you are going to put down new carpeting, unless they are damaged.  If you had water damage, the tacks will be rusted and the strips cannot be reused.  If you are going to tile or put down laminate or hardwood, the tack strips must be removed.

True,

I just assumed the carpet was being replaced with some sort of other flooring type.
Title: Re: Carpet removal
Post by: crazy jane on July 12, 2015, 04:12:27 PM
Not replacing, just removing. There is tile underneath. We just want to remove after two kids, a dog and a cat. Already have what we removed today in the trash. Man that shit is gross. Good tip to save the foam for the tack strips. Any advice on getting the foam bits off the tile? Also, presently using a box cutter to cut carpet into rectangles. Is there a better way?
Title: Re: Carpet removal
Post by: Self-employed-swami on July 12, 2015, 04:44:49 PM
What about some sort of solvent?
Title: Re: Carpet removal
Post by: crazy jane on July 12, 2015, 04:46:34 PM
Thanks everyone for the replies. We resume the project tomorrow.
Title: Re: Carpet removal
Post by: protostache on July 12, 2015, 06:52:02 PM
Our garbage haulers take anything small enough to fit in their truck, which meant cutting it into strips maybe 4ft wide and rolling it up, securing with duct tape, and stacking like logs out by the curb. We did that with the carpet and the foam, and just left the tack strips in a pile.
Title: Re: Carpet removal
Post by: Another Reader on July 12, 2015, 06:58:21 PM
If the tack strips are nailed through the tile, those tile pieces are ruined.  Also, be careful with the box cutters.  The blades will scratch the tile if you cut an area with no or insufficient padding.  The blades need to be changed often, because they dull quickly.
Title: Re: Carpet removal
Post by: Syonyk on July 12, 2015, 07:40:47 PM
You can get a "hook" style blade for most carpet/utility knives that works well to not cut into whatever is under the carpet.

I'd suggest figuring out how to vent the room while you're working, since carpet is kind of gross to pull up.

And for bulk carpet disposal, taking it to your local transfer station/dump/etc in bulk is usually worth the cost.  Ask around to see if anyone is making a dump run locally.
Title: Re: Carpet removal
Post by: CowboyAndIndian on July 13, 2015, 01:42:21 AM
Wear some masks as you do this. Carpets and padding are dust magnets and can trigger off allergies.

You do not really need any special tools, just a regular utility knife. Cut it up into strips a couple of feet wide, roll it up to make it comfortable to carrry and then duct tape to  hold it from unravelling.



Title: Re: Carpet removal
Post by: Jack on July 13, 2015, 06:00:22 AM
Carpet is recyclable, so please recycle it.