If you are planning on installing some new carpeting, hardwood floors or linoleum in your home and must first get rid of existing carpeting, you can remove it yourself and save  a considerable amount of money in doing so.  If you have a good strong back and a  bit of sheer muscle power, removing carpeting does not require many special tools that you will have to go out and purchase in order to finish the job.  One word of caution upfront…often time, old carpeting is mildewed and/or molded on its underside , so please make sure to wear protective clothing while removing it.  This includes rubber or cloth gloves, protective eyewear, and a respirator mask.

Carpeting is generally held in place with either tack strips or with glue. Tack strips are nothing more than strips of wood that have tacks hammered through them. If the carpeting is being held down with tack strips, the tacks face upwards so that they can hold the carpet into place. This is also a good moment that you will want towear a pair of work gloves so that you do not get pricked on your hands as you pull the carpet up and off the strips of wood. You may need to use a pair of ordinary locking pliers in order to get a good grip on the edge of the carpet in order to remove it from the tack strip. Once you get it started, continue pulling it up and off the strips around the entire room. Once the carpet is removed it is best to cut it into strips using a utility knife so that it is easier to handle and remove from the room.  Your local refuse company may require that you cut up sections of carpet in 6 foot lengths or less.  It makes it easier for them to pick it up and so it may make sense for you to just cut into those sizes upon removing the carpet from your floor.

For carpet removal in which the carpet is glued in place you will have a much easier time of it since the glue is only applied to the seams and the edges. Simply use a utility knife to cut the carpet from one corner to another, making a large X that meets in the middle. If you roll up the  pieces after cutting them free, they will be quite easy to handle when carrying them out of the house.

If the flooring below the carpet has glue or adhesive still remaining on it, you have a few options.  First, for removing carpet glue, you may just be able to scrape it with a flat blade scraper.  The key though is that you will want to heat up the glue to make it soft. You can do this on a concrete floor by pouring boiling water on it and let it sit for a few moments.  Just by doing this, you can avoid using many harmful chemicals, that by the way, don’t work very well on cold concrete.   If on the other hand you have hardwood floors underneath the carpet, you may not feel comfortable pouring water on them.  Instead you can use a heat gun and a plastic scraper.  I found a nice set of pictures on Flickr that illustrates the process.   Nice job Dustin!

If you are ordering new flooring and do not wish to undertake the carpet removal project yourself, you could check with the company whom you are purchasing the flooring from to see how much they would charge you for removing the old carpeting for you.   Many times, carpet removal is included as part of the new installation price.  If this is not an option, consider paying a strong friend or neighbor $50 or $100 to come to your home to do it for you.