Removing old carpet before fitting

crayola

Hi all. I'm having a new carpet fitted tomorrow morning and have been told to remove the old one. This has taken a bit longer than I'd hoped as my partner has broken his arm and we don't really have anyone local to help!

I've finally got the carpet and underlay up, chopped and bagged, but I'm not sure what to do about the 'grippers' - at least i think this is what they are - they are made of bits of wood with nails stuck in them. They've been badly DIY'd, I think, and I'm worried about injuring myself if I try and rip these out in a hurry.

Will most fitters expect them to be removed?

wallbash

Check your invoice , have you ordered new ones?
I remove mine with a spade ....

BoxerfanUK

Just take the grippers up. Use a large flat bladed screwdriver to prise them up, simple. I don't see how you can really 'injure' yourself, other than maybe a p rick or two.

crayola

Oh, I know I am probably just being a girly wuss...it's just that they are very firmly stuck in and I'm not the strongest. Also I now don't have a lot of time!

Don't have any garden tools at all. any other ideas? :huh:

Inactive

crayola wrote: »

Oh, I know I am probably just being a girly wuss...it's just that they are very firmly stuck in and I'm not the strongest. Also I now don't have a lot of time!

Don't have any garden tools at all. any other ideas? :huh:

I would just leave them, the carpet fitters will no doubt just use them as they are already fitted.

If not they will remove them in a few minutes.

McKneff

Go and ask a neighbour for some help, Im sure they will be happy to.

Other than that, Im sure that the fitters, under the circs will have them up in a jiffy so dont worry about it.

crayola

Thanks all - we are having new ones so they will need to be removed (by someone) and we're already over budget so don't want any more excuses for getting fleeced! I have managed to remove a few of them with the back of a hammer, but the evil things are pretty firmly stuck.

[Deleted User]

Hi,

if you have a flat faced screwdriver, tap it under the gripper with your hammer, near one of the holding nails, and prise it up.

wallbash

I don't see how you can really 'injure' yourself, other than maybe a p rick or two.

Will show you the blood stains .Unfortunately the OP has not got a spade. but its a way of removing whilst staying at arms length

crayola

[Deleted User] wrote:

Hi,

if you have a flat faced screwdriver, tap it under the gripper with your hammer, near one of the holding nails, and prise it up.

This method is now working a treat. Thank you!

[Deleted User]

Hi,

good, just batter on, get job done, and then relax.