The flooring that you install in your home should last several years before you even have to consider replacement. If your flooring isn't lasting that long, chances are, you aren't choosing the type of flooring that will fit into your lifestyle very well. This blog is all about choosing flooring that will fit into your lifestyle and last you many, many years before you have to rip it up and replace it. You will also find tips for keeping it looking like new as it survives the abuse that your family, friends and pets put it through during the course of the year.
If you are going to have new flooring installed in place of carpet, you should consider removing you old carpet yourself. If you remove your existing carpet on your own, your floor will basically be ready for the installation of the new product, regardless of if your are installing new carpet, hardwood, or tile. This is going to save the new floor installer several hours of labor, and it is going to save you several hundred dollars.
Removing the Carpet
Removing the carpet is straightforward, but physical work. Wear protective gloves so your don't tear up your hands. You want a strong utility knife and a hammer. You also need some demolition devices, like hammers (using the claw side), pry bars, large flathead screwdrivers, chisels, or halogen bars. Try to find an edge of the carpet that you can start to pull up. You can use the hook of a pry bar to pull the carpet up. This part just requires a lot of pulling and bending over, so make sure you bend your knees.
Once you rip the carpet up, you can cut it into smaller pieces so they aren't too heavy when you roll them up. This makes it much easier to throw them away.
Removing the Carpet Pads
The carpet pad might stay stuck to your subfloor, especially if they have been glued down. If this is the case, just rip the carpet pads up by hand and take them out of the room. There could be a lot of debris on the subfloor, and you might need to use a floor scraper to remove any of the carpet pad that is still stuck to the floor.
Clean the Subfloor
The final step is to remove the wooden carpet grippers and clean your floor as well as possible. The carpet grippers can be popped off of the subfloor with a flathead screwdriver. You should make sure that there is no mold growing on your subfloor. This is actually quite common, especially if they had ever been any large liquid spills on your carpet. If you use a heavy-duty antibacterial cleaner, you can ensure that you kill the mold and prevent it from still being a problem after the new flooring is installed.
Now, it is time for the professional to show up, complete the hardwood dustless sanding process, and then install your new floor. By doing the easiest part of the work on your own, you are going to save a fair bit of cash.
Share7 April 2018
