Remodeling can be a hassle depending on what the project entails.  Remodeling floors especially can be expensive once all the fees and costs are added up.  For this reason people often choose to do their own carpets to cut down on costs.  Removing carpet can entail a full workout depending on the size of the job.  Here are some tips to remove your current carpet efficiently.

Before getting started on getting that old carpet up we will need to make sure we have the right tools and supplies to get the job done.  Depending on the size of your job you may not need all these but it is better to be safe than sorry.

• Tools Needed for Removing Carpet

First in order to get the carpet up off your floor you will need a hammer, pry bar, utility knife, floor scraper, pliers, knee pads, gloves, and a mask.  Once the carpet is up off your floor and cut up you will need a vacuum, broom, and roll up dumpster depending on the size of the job.

• Prepping and Clearing the Room

Before you get started you will want to make your life easier by clearing space for you to work fast without distractions.  Getting all the furniture and decorations out of the room will help you with that.  Lastly, do not forget about removing any entry way doors to give you easy access to the carpet in those corners and edges.

• Removing Carpet From Tack Strips

Now that we have the room cleared we can start off by picking a corner to lift up to start off.  Your pliers will be helpful when trying to get a grip on the carpet.  Once the corner of the carpet  is up you want to lift the rest of the carpet off the wall and begin to roll it back a few feet.

• Cutting Carpet into Small Pieces

Carpet can be heavy especially if it is a large carpet that covers a lot of square feet.  To ease your back at the end of the job you will want to cut up the carpet as you move along.  Your utility knife will come in handy here to help with that.  Once you roll the carpet back take your knife and cut the back of the carpet with a sharp blade to make that carpet manageable to carry.

• Removing Carpet Padding

Once, the carpet is off the floor and out of the way we can now focus on the padding.  Good news about padding is that it is much lighter than carpet is.  We will use the same method to remove the padding as we did with the carpet.  So, pick your corner and get started.

• Removing Tack Strips

Finally, you will be able to see the bare floor beneath your feet.  Now since the padding and carpet is up there will be tack strips, nails, and staples left behind.  This job will require your gloves and a pry bar.  Grab your pry bar and jam it under each tack strip and pull up to remove them.  If you are operating near or on hard wood floor use a putty knife to aid the pry bar to protect your floors.

• Removing Staples

This step may be the most time consuming during the whole process.  The best way to go about removing staples effectively will require a floor scraper.  It is very important not to take this step lightly as it is important to get up all obstruction before laying your new carpet down.  Nothing worse than laying down a new carpet to figure out there are bubbles and divots left behind.

• Carpet Steps

If you have carpet stairs this is a good time to get that tackled before we move on.  If you do not plan to work on your stairs you can skip this step.  For those that have carpet on the steps lets start off on the top step and work our way down. Similar to the floor you want to use your pliers to lift the carpet to roll and cut as you work your way down.

• Carpet Disposal

Usually when a carpet job is done it is thrown out in big quantities.  With that being the case your garbage truck workers are not going to be a big fan and will often refuse to take it.  Depending on your town regulations there may be a bulk item pick up on certain dates check in with your town.  If that still is not the case a roll off dumpster is the easiest clean up choice.  This will save you from hauling carpet to the dump yourself. Throw all that debris into the dumpster and wait for your pick up date.

Contact Dump U Junk

If you are hesitant to start your carpet renovation do not worry anymore.  Our experts will be glad to assist you will removing and disposing of any unwanted carpet once the job is done.  Let us know the dates you wish to have your roll up dumpster dropped off and picked up. For more information give us a call at (781)-408-1937 or fill out a contact form today.