Carpet Removal Service: How to Remove Carpet the Right Way
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Perhaps you’ve just purchased a new home, or perhaps you’re simply looking for ways to freshen up your existing space. Regardless of your reasoning, the topic of removing carpet and installing hardwood floors has likely crossed your mind as an possibility. While this may appear like a simple task on paper, removing carpet and installing hardwood flooring is not exactly easy. With that in mind, we’ll provide you with some useful information regarding how to remove carpet the right way. Whether you plan on hiring professionals or attempting it yourself, this blog will serve as an useful resource in preparation for your upcoming renovations.
Decide on your flooring type
Depending on your budget and the condition of your current flooring, you may wish to install wood flooring, vinyl flooring, or perhaps even tile flooring. Wood flooring is one of the most popular types of flooring, and is commonly installed atop either plywood or concrete. Whereas vinyl flooring can be installed on top of a wide range of subfloors, including concrete, plywood, and even carpet. If you’re unsure of what type of flooring best suits your needs, we recommend consulting with a flooring specialist. Keep in mind that, depending on the condition of your subfloor, you may be required to install some type of underlayment. Nevertheless, regardless of the type of flooring you decide is best, it is always recommended to install brand new flooring.
Create a budget
Before you get too far along in the process, it is important to get a general idea of what the renovations will cost. You’re not required to be overly specific, but if you have a rough budget of what you expect the renovations to cost, it will help you as you make decisions down the road. What’s more, it will help you determine whether or not installing brand new flooring is actually within your budget. With that in mind, it is recommended to create a general budget for the renovations, and then adjust based on what you find along the way. If you have no idea where to begin, we recommend visiting the website of your local hardware store, as they usually have some sort of budgeting tool that you can use to get a general idea of what your renovations will cost.
Hiring professionals for the job
If you plan on hiring professionals to do the work, you should make an effort to find a trustworthy contractor as soon as possible. While there are many contractors out there, not all are trustworthy. With that in mind, you should make an effort to find a contractor that you trust, and one that can provide you with a proper estimate. Contractors will provide you with an estimate of the cost of renovations, including the type of renovations required. With that in mind, it is recommended that you avoid contractors that provide you with extremely low estimates. If a contractor provides you with a low estimate, they may be cutting corners in an effort to save money. It is recommended that you request references, and be sure to ask them how they handle certain situations. Furthermore, it is recommended that you do not hire a contractor until you’ve received an estimate, and you’ve approved their terms.
How to prep your carpeted flooring
If you intend on removing the existing carpet, it is recommended that you prep your flooring before you begin the renovations. If you do not prep the flooring, you may end up damaging the subfloor, which is not an ideal outcome. With that in mind, there are various things you can do in order to prepare your flooring for renovations. First and foremost, you’ll want to remove any furniture from the room. Next, you’ll want to remove any tack strips that may be in the room. Somewhat related to the previous tip, you will also want to remove any mold, mildew, and/or dust from the room. What’s more, you will also want to remove any nails or staples from the room, as these could damage your hardwood flooring.
Removing the adhesive and staples
After you’ve completed the prep work, you will want to remove any adhesive and staples from the flooring. With that in mind, you will want to use a prybar in order to remove the staples. Once you’ve removed the staples, you will want to use a putty knife in order to remove the adhesive. It’s important to note that if you’re attempting to remove carpet from a concrete subfloor, you may want to remove the entire pad before attempting to remove the adhesive and staples. Moreover, you will want to make sure that you do not damage the subfloor. What’s more, you may want to rent a sander in order to remove the pad.
Installing the hardwood flooring
Now that you’ve removed the old flooring, it’s time to install the new flooring. Once again, you will want to begin by prepping the subfloor. With that in mind, you will want to be sure that your subfloor is smooth and level. If your subfloor is not smooth and level, you may wish to hire a contractor to correct the issue. What’s more, you may wish to hire a contractor to install the underlayment, or perhaps you’d prefer to install the underlayment yourself. It really depends on your comfort level and the condition of your subfloor. Once your subfloor is ready, you’re ready to install the new flooring. With that in mind, you will want to lay your flooring in the room and make sure that it’s level. Once it’s level, you’re ready to secure it to the subfloor. You’ll want to use a hammer and nail, or perhaps a pneumatic stapler, in order to secure the flooring.
Conclusion
Although you might be eager to remove your carpet and install new hardwood flooring, it is important to follow the proper procedures. With that in mind, it is recommended that you wait until the room has dried out before attempting to install anything new. Once the room has dried out, you’ll want to install new flooring, and your new hardwood flooring will have a much better chance of lasting for years to come.
