Would you like to remove carpeting from your floor? Good to prepare and make sure you have the right knowledge and supplies! It can be a challenging job, but with the right information, it is also something you can do yourself.
Floor covering removal supplies
Before you start removing carpeting make sure you have the following ready or in house:
- Good stanley knife or carpet knife
- Work gloves
- Screwdriver
- Scraper or putty knife
- Bucket of warm water and a sponge to remove white glue
- Stripper to remove brown glue
- Vacuum cleaner and garbage bags
- Protective glasses and mouth guard
Step by step removal of flooring
Step 1 – Prepare the space and determine the type of adhesive to use
Clear the room completely so that you have enough space. Then in the corner of the room try to loosen a small piece of carpet with the screwdriver. Then see if the carpet is attached with white or brown glue.
It can make a big difference whether the carpet is stuck with white or brown glue. In fact, white glue is generally a lot easier to remove. You can do this with warm water and a good brush. Brown glue is a bit more difficult, for which you often need a stripper. You can get this, for example, at Gamma or Hubo.
Step 2 – Carpet removal
Using the stanley knife or carpet knife, start cutting strips into the carpet(Tip: cutting long and narrow strips often works best). Then try to pry the carpet loose at the beginning and then pull or roll the rest loose. Can’t get the carpet loose properly? Then use some warm water or a stripper and let it soak in for a while, then it should work.
Also look carefully at the edges of the carpet. You may find that some pieces are attached with nails or staples. Remove these first to avoid damaging the subfloor.
Step 3 – Remove glue residue
It is almost always the case that glue residue is left behind after removing the floor covering. Don’t panic! These can be removed just fine. Use a scraper or putty knife to scrape off the residue. If some pieces are too stubborn, you can use floor glue remover.
Tips on removing carpeting or glued-down carpet
Provide the right tools
Having the right tools is essential in this job. Make sure you get the right stuff at home or borrow it from family or friends, for example. It will make removing the flooring a lot easier!
Take plenty of breaks in between
Removing a glued carpet can be quite a chore. It can also be frustrating when the carpet doesn’t come off properly or when a lot of stubborn adhesive residue remains. Make sure you take your time for this job. Not everything has to be finished at once!
Use protective equipment
Especially when working with chemicals, it is good to make sure that the rooms are well ventilated, but also that you use, for example, a mouth mask, gloves and protective glasses.
We would love to help you!
We certainly understand that carpet removal can be a hefty and physical job. Therefore, we are also happy to assist you. Contact us for the possibilities. Together, we will make sure that your floor is in perfect order again. Would you rather do your own home improvement? Then read our tips for leaving your home swept clean.
