What is the best way to remove wall-to-wall carpeting without damaging the carpet?

Question

I would like to remove wall-to-wall carpeting in a room to reveal hard wood underneath. I would like to preserve as much of the carpet as I can without cutting it into strips. Any suggestions?

Answer 1

move furniture snatch it up at the edges.....roll it up....no damage at all

Answer 2

the edges are raw now. start in the corner and lift. it should all come up as one piece. There are wood nailing strips in the floor that have very sharp nails sticking UP so be very careful. don't start unless you can finish the whole strip removal in one day. remove any kids or pets, get a pair of needle nose pliers and a cats paw nail puller. be careful that you don't damage the wood floor. any nails that you can't get up you have to countersink very carefully. Are you sure there's hardwood floors or is it plywood?
place the cats paw on the nailer strip, tap under the nail head with a hammer, then pull. In a large room they sometimes staple the rug down the middle. lots of staples to remove and not damage the wood floor. use a small head flat blade screwdriver to pull them.