How to Take Up and Dispose of Old Carpet

Carpet is chosen as a subfloor covering often because it comes in many varieties, colors, and is much less expensive then hardwood or tile. With the advent of engineered wood an other types of flooring, it is now less expensive to change a room or set of rooms than it has been in previous years. First, though, the old carpeting an padding will have to be taken off the subfloor.

How to Take Up Old Carpeting

If you've never taken on this project before, you might believe it to be a very simple one. Though it isn't complicated, it does require quite a bit of effort and will likely reveal some problems. Because carpet is a porous material, small particles and liquids will penetrate it and go through the padding, down to the subfloor. It isn't uncommon to find what installation experts call "pet damage," stains on the subfloor from urine.

Getting ready to lug your worn-out wall-to-wall to the curb? You’re not alone. Americans get rid of some five billion pounds of carpet each year—that’s nearly seven times the weight of the Empire State Building. But thanks to an industry/government group called the Carpet America Recovery Effort (CARE), you may be able to recycle rugs you once would have thrown away. -- This Old House

If you do discover pet damage in the sub floor, you can use bleach to treat it, brushing it in and leaving it to dry overnight. However, before you discover what's lurking underneath, you'll have to take up the carpet by following these steps:

1. Take any low-hanging wall decor down and pull back curtains if they are close to the floor.
2. Move all the furniture out of the room an make sure the entryway is clear.
3. Start from the door, and pull up the carpet to the nearest corner by hand. From that corner, pull to the next and repeat the process until the carpet is pulled off the tacking strips around the perimeter of the room.
4. Roll the carpeting up, then do the same with the padding.
5. With the help of a family member, friend, or neighbor, carry the carpet out of the room and do the same with the padding.

If you're going to install new carpet, leave the tacking fastened to the floor, if it is in good condition. Should you be installing another type of flooring, then pry up the tacking. Be careful as the tacking can easily cause injury.

Disposing of Worn Carpet

There are a few ways to dispose of old carpet, especially if it's in decent condition. You can donate it to a local pet rescue center or to another type of charitable organization. Carpet can also be cleaned and reused, or, sold. In addition, you can recycle it, but you'll have to pay a fee ranging from 5 cents to 25 cents a pound. Another way to get rid of worn carpet is to have it picked-up and hauled away by a junk removal service.