How to Remove Carpets – An Oxi Fresh Guide
Oxi Fresh Carpet Cleaning prides itself on getting rid of some of the toughest stains quickly and efficiently. Time, however, is one thing we can’t clean out of a carpet. Over the years, the fibers in a carpet will wear out, the pad will degrade, and dirt will eventually become a permanent part of the pile.
So when a carpet is ready to go the great flooring store in the sky, it’s time to replace it. Since we’ve already talked about choosing the right pile type and color for a new carpet, let’s instead focus on the important task of removing the carpet. Here’s the Oxi Fresh guide on carpet removal.
Tools: Utility Knife, Pry Bar, Hammer, Pliers, Gloves, and Knee pads (Optional)
1.) The What and When
You’ve got to know what you want to replace the old carpet with. If it’s new carpet, don’t tear up the tack strips – they can be reused if they’re in good condition. Still, you’ll want to double check with whoever is installing your new carpets to make sure they’re okay with using old tack strips.
Putting hardwood or tile? Get rid of the tack strips – you’ll do that in Step 4.
Also, know when the new floor is being installed. You don’t want to tear up the carpet only to realize you’ll have to wait a week before you get someone out. Try to schedule your demo time to end the day before the installers come.
2.) Be Prepared
So you know what you want and when it’s coming, so on your demo day, start by removing any and all furniture in the room. Put it where it won’t be in the way of you or the installers. Removing anything hanging on the walls as well.
Be sure to vacuum the carpet to help reduce the amount of dust you’ll kick up.
3.) Pull!
Start by pulling the carpet up from a corner of the wall, working your way around the room. You’ll need to be very careful here so you don’t get hurt on the tack strips. Thick gloves, close toed shoes, and knee pads are a good idea.
4.) Slice and Dice
Cut the carpet into 3 foot for 4 foot wide strips, cutting down the entire length of the carpet, preferably with a utility knife. If the carpet is exceptionally long, you may want to slice it in half. Roll up each strip and take them to your nearest carpet recycling facility (Go to Earth911.com to find these.)
If you’re removing the tack strips, do so now. A hammer and a pry bar are useful in pulling them up.
5.) Padding the List
The carpets gone and it’s time to remove the pad. Simply begun pulling it up from the corner of the room. You don’t need to cut this into strips since it’s very light.
Next, pull up the carpet staples that were used to hold the pad down. A pair of pliers would be good for this.
6.) Clean Up
Gather your tools and vacuum the room once again. If you’ve kept the tack strips, warn your family and – if you have small children or pets – try to block of access to the room.
All in all, this process should not take you too long – perhaps a few hours. Of course, you don’t want to have to replace your carpet that often, so be sure to schedule regular carpet cleaning services with Oxi Fresh. Carpet protectant wouldn’t go amiss either.
All right, well get out there and start remodeling!
Thanks to Robin Hewitt and braniac of eHow and the WikiHow team.
