Removing Carpet Over Hardwood

Removing your carpets might seem simple but it can be difficult and time-consuming. Especially if you lack the right tools. Before you begin your carpet-removal project, be sure you have the right tools:

• Dust mask

• Durable, puncture-resistant gloves

• Retractable, sharp knife

• Hammer

• Pry bar

• Dull chisel or flathead screwdriver

• Pliers

• Duct tape

• Knee-pads

• Broom and shop-vac

Note: Avoid using your home vacuum system as most home machines/systems are not designed to handle ‘industrial’ type projects.)

Being careful not to slice into the hardwood – cut the carpet into manageable pieces about 4 feet in length. Roll up each piece and wrap with the duct-tape. Do the same for the underlay but reserve some of the underlay to wrap the nail-‘infested’ smooth-edge in later.

As you remove the carpet/underlay from the smooth-edge along the wall, be careful not to tear or pull up the smooth-edge at this time. This can do considerable damage to the hardwood beneath the smooth-edge requiring potentially costly repairs.

Once the carpet and underlay have been removed, find the larger nails in the smooth-edge and carefully remove or loosen them. Using a pry bar, hammer, dull chisel, flathead screwdriver or combination of each, carefully lever up the smooth-edge from the hardwood in strips as long as possible.

Again, be careful when taking up the smooth-edge to not lift up or damage the hardwood beneath the smooth-edge. Use the reserved underlay to wrap the smooth-edge in and use the duct tape to tightly wrap up the underlay roll.

You will find your floor is now covered in a multitude of nails and staples. Strap on your knee-pads and methodically begin removing these with the aid of your pliers.

Finally, using your shop-vac or broom, sweep up your floors and double-check for any missed nails and/or staples.

You can of course also hire professionals to do the work. At Woodsmith Hardwood Floors we are happy to provide carpet removal and disposal.