Carpet is big, heavy, and bulky, so removal without the right tools can be challenging and time consuming! Most residential carpet is attached to the floor along the edges of the walls via tack strips. These are narrow strips of wood covered in hundreds of sharp nails that have enough grip to keep carpeting taut and in place. These tack strips, staples, and/or glue then need to be removed and disposed of safely. Once removed this may reveal damage to the subfloor ranging from a cracked or delaminated subfloor to termite damage or even rot from hidden leaks or flooding which will need to be rectified prior to the installation of your new flooring.

In older homes it was common to use a hessian underlay which can vary in thickness and is very dirty, dusty, and difficult to remove safely. Removal requires expertise and special equipment that average homeowners may need to hire to minimise damage to the subfloor. Some carpet is laid directly or glued to the concrete slab, which requires special heavy-duty grinders to remove glue and prepare for new flooring.

You may be looking to update your flooring as worn or stained carpets can date the look of your home. They can also hold dust and other allergens, retain moisture creating mould and have a costly upkeep for cleaning if you have indoor pets.