by Judy Zabriskie

Created on: June 13, 2008   Last Updated: April 10, 2009

This is not a task to be taken lightly and it is definitely not for the weak or the faint of heart as no one knows what is lurking underneath the fibers of this mess of fibers.
You must first assemble the proper tools of the trade beginning with a MASK. Yes, a mask, preferably a re-breather ventilation mask, but at the very least a dust mask (you know, one of those disposable gauze type masks used for outdoor mowing or cleaning up dusty areas to prevent allergens from entering your respiratory tract.) Next gown up, so to speak. Cover your entire body with cotton based clothing and I do mean head to toe. The dust, mites, debris and whatever is lurking under and on top of your carpeting being removed should not come in contact with your skin if at all possible. Wear those gloves, preferably leather impenetrable gloves so that the tacks cannot cut through to the skin. Shoes are important as well. Work boots are preferred, but hard leather shoes which are impenetrable to carpet tacks are fine if that is all you have. Just be mindful when puling up the carpet of what you grab and where you step.

You will also need a carpet knife or, at the very least, a utility knife so as to slice the carpet into manageable pieces to cart out of the house. Remember you are not just cutting and removing carpet but pad as well.
Depending upon how old or how well cared for the carpeting you are removing is there could be quite a mess of padding material under this carpet. For your sake, I hope the padding is intact and can be removed with the carpet or at least spliced and taken in whole pieces.
If it has disintegrated you must vacuum up the mess as you go along trying not to track it through the house.

If you are not re laying carpet and are refinishing the hardwood underneath (if there is hardwood there) or laying new hardwood or laminate and not carpet, you will need a pry bar to rid the area of carpet strips and an instrument to remove carpet tacks left behind.

So now that you have your equipment and are gowned up, the fun begins. After you have vacuumed the carpeting, start by lifting up a corner of the carpet and pulling with everything that you have. When you reach a point where you can cut a sizeable piece from the carpet do so with your utility knife or carpet knife. Roll it up and get it out of the area. Continue pulling and cutting until all the carpet is removed. Remove the padding (hopefully in the same manner should it be intact) taking it out in pieces and putting it in the pile of already torn out carpet. Again, if the padding has deteriorated you must vacuum up this mess (shop vac works best for this.) It is now time to pry up the carpet strips (hopefully with tacks in place). Being very careful not to allow the tacks to penetrate your body in any way, pry gently removing as you go. Again, remove from the area as soon as each is pried up so as not to sit, step or touch the tacks in any way. Remove all loose carpet tacks left behind, vacuum again and you are now finished with this messy job. This job can be left to the carpet installers or flooring installers should you choose, but the amount of money you save by doing it yourself is probably enough to carpet a few rooms or at least put down one room of hardwood.

Remove your clothing outside or in the garage, wash separately from your usual laundry and vacuum off your shoes, throwing away the mask if not using a respirator and you are ready for your next task.

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