What can I expect when removing carpet to paint concrete floor?

Question

My landlord will not change the very old (before me) carpet and I've decided to just pull it out and paint or stain the concrete...what should I be prepared for and how should I go about it? The apartment was built in the 70's.

Answer 1

Removing carpet and the glue is very difficult job but it will look beautiful when you finish so it is worthwhile. If you choose the right products and apply them properly you will get long lasting, good looking results. Here is what you need to do to remove the carpet glue:

1. Pull the carpet up.
2. Use paint remover on the concrete to remove the carpet glue. It must be removed or the color of it will transmit through the new floor coating. Allow it to work then scrape it off. Do a second application of paint remover to get it out of the pores. Brush it in with a stiff broom to get it out of the small holes then rinse off the the residue.

Now you are ready to prep the floor. The best floor paint kit available is Top Secret Coatings Super-Fleck Floor System. It has superior adhesion, takes far less prep work and lasts longer than water based floor coatings making it your best choice. You can do it yourself, 200 colors are available, they ship by UPS and your satisfaction is guaranteed. See Top Secret Coating on line store on the web for further details.

Answer 2

The concrete could be cracked and need some repair or it could be just fine You wont know until you remove the carpet. If it needs repair you will need to fill all areas and let cure before you can paint . When you paint you will need special paint for concrete. I would use a roller to apply paint and you will need to stay off the surface for several hours . There is probably a tack strip all around the baseboard to hold down the carpet . That will have to be pulled up. Is the landlord ok with you doing this??? Because it might be a violation of your rentalo agreement Also without the carpet the floor will be cold if you are in cooler climate It will be a lot easier to keep clean if it painted .

Answer 3

Of the answers I read below, I'd say I agree with the sander best. If your basement is enclosed, power washing can create more problems than it solves. So will sandblasting. They are the most effective to do the job, but the cleanup is very labor-intensive. I have never been a fan of using heat to remove paint, and I certainly would clear away from using a solvent and heat. If it doesn't create toxic fumes or catch fire, it will most certainly leave a gooey mess. Although I think a nice big power sander is the best option, I would ask you what is your future plan for the floor? Are you going to re-paint? If not, why not just put down a water-barrier film, and cover with flooring or carpet, and forget the paint underneath altogether.

Answer 4

MMmmm concrete floor... then your carpet was most likely glued down.

You can expect a mess when you try to rip out the carpet... this is why the landlord doesnt want to tackle it, hehehe.

Expect the carpet to come out in shreds... and if it has an 'attached' foam backer, then it will tend to stick to the floor. This will be very dirty work.

Then, you have to remove the old glue.... and that will be a LOT of elbow grease, and VERY sharp floor scrapers.

An easier method would be to put new carpet right over the old stuff. As long as it isnt bunched up in areas, it will look just fine. If you have humps in the old stuff, then cut them out, so that the carpet lays flat, then apply the new carpet over the old. You would probably need to run some carpet tack around the perimeter... use the type made for concrete, and you're good to go. If the old carpet is "textured" then the difference in pile sizes may telegraph thru new carpet.. I would recommend a good stiff pad to help prevent that...otherwise, just run the new carpet over the old.

Have Fun

Answer 5

First thing is to get in writing an OK from your landlord, You don't own the place and you can get into trouble, even if they say it's OK to do. Just write it down on paper and have them sign it. Now you may find that the cement will have to be cleaned, glue, decay,old paint are common under carpet that has been laid over cement. Consider vinyl flooring, It is cleaner and healthier.

Answer 6

you can expect to find that if the carpet is layed over an underlay, it will be glued down to the concrete, or the carpet itself is glued down. either way it is possible to remove it, all it takes is a lot of elbow grease. and possibly some solvent, to take some of the glue out, a metal sidewalk ice scraper is good for taking most of it off,

Answer 7

Possibly rubber foam backed carpet....possibly glued down. Foam with have separated away from the carpet. Alot of scraping off the floor, vacuuming, and washing with soap and water....if you plan to paint.

Answer 8

if it was glued down its going to be rough and uneven and you will have to either tile it or put more carpet down if its smooth and you paint it will become slippery

if I were you I'd take the landlord to court or find a new place

Answer 9

i would make sure your landlord agreed to any changes before i did anything.. especially if he had a large deposit of mine...
if he agree's, why paint it.? just re-carpet using cheap carpet, expensive carpet if you like, but why paint.
who paints their living room floor..? or whichever room.

Answer 10

using thinner to remover the paint. u must wear a hands gloves. u take a Pieces of cloth n put abit of the thinner cloth slow wipe away the paint. Thinner mean piant remover