How to Remove Glued Carpeting

Remove the Carpet

• 1

  Cut strips in the carpet using a box cutter or utility knife. The strips should be 6 inches to 1 foot wide. This will make it easier to pull the carpet up and dispose of it properly.

• 2

  Pull up a corner of one strip and begin to pull the carpet up. Use a back-and-forth motion to rock the carpet up to make it easier to pull up. For example, lift with your right hand and then let it down while you lift with your left hand.

• 3

  Roll the carpet up once you remove the strip and tie it with twine. This will make disposal easier.

• 4

  Repeat steps 2 and 3 until all of the carpet is up.

Clean the Glue

• 5

  Heat the adhesive with a heat gun. Work on an area no bigger than 1 square foot to minimize the risk of the glue cooling off while you get it up.

• 6

  Scrape up the heated glue with a chisel. The sharp edge of the chisel and the sturdiness of it will help you get the glue up.

• 7

  Loosen any glue that couldn’t be removed with the heat gun and chisel. Pour the mineral spirits on the floor and let it soak for at least 20 minutes. Scrape the glue up with the chisel.