How to Remove Wall-to-Wall Carpet

Rid your room of all traces of dated wall-to-wall carpet following these simple steps.

By: Brian Patrick Flynn

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Materials Needed:

pliers
dust mask
gloves
kneepads
carpet blade

mini crowbar
measuring tape
hammer
shop vacuum
disposable cup for holding staples

Loosen Then Pull Back Corners

Don dust mask and gloves for protection then use pliers to loosen and pull back carpet in each corner.

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Cut Carpet Into Strips

In order to remove carpet easily and efficiently, it's best to cut the carpet into 4-foot-wide strips. Use measuring tape to determine proper width (Image 1) then use a carpet blade to cut the carpet into 4-foot-wide strips (Image 2).

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Pull Back and Roll Up Strips

Pull up each 4-foot strip, loosening it from the remaining carpet (Image 1). Roll up the strips then carry them out of the space (Image 2).

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Remove Underlayment and Staples

Once all of the carpet has been removed, it's time to remove the padding following the same steps outlined above (Image 1). The most time-consuming step in the process is removing staples. Use pliers to pull each staple from the subfloor (Image 2), then place staples into disposable plastic cup.

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Remove Tack Strips

Loosen tack strips around room's perimeter by tapping mini crowbar under strips with hammer until tack strips are knocked loose from subfloor (Image 1). Use the crowbar to pry the strips loose then throw them away (Image 2). Finally, use a shop vacuum to thoroughly clean subfloor.