Which should come first, painting skirting boards or changing carpet?

uknick

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82118316#Comment_82118316

Not sure I understand. I thought the idea was you remove the 6" of carpet around the edge of the room allowing you good access to the skirting board. Unfortunately that exposes the carper gripper.

Slinky

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82118403#Comment_82118403

We appear to do it the other way, get rid of the carpet and leave a strip to protect the hands!

WIAWSNB

The important thing is to expose the whole skirting right to the floor, so it can all be prepared and painted easily, and without a tide line. After prep, thoroughly hoover up all dust and debris from the floor and under the skirting, and try and avoid excessive paint-brushing of the floor as you do the skirtings, as you'll almost certainly pick up remaining 'bits'.

But, yes, cutting that strip will expose the grippers, but you can always use a short strip of carpet or underlay as a mat to cover the points as you paint, provided it doesn't get in the way of the brush.

The remaining carpet is nicer to kneel on, and the exposed carpet strip provides a warning of impending toe-shredding if not careful.

subjecttocontract

Many of the carpets I've dealt with in my properties tend to be stuck down instead of using carpet gripper.

In Europe, they have a much better system for fitted carpets, there is no painted skirting. They have a strip attached to the wall where the skirting would normally go, into which a strip of carpet is fitted around the wall. This eliminates any need to paint when replacing carpet.

uknick

If you've removed the outer 6 inches of carpet, why would you not remove the carpet gripper?

LightFlare

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82118051#Comment_82118051

Thats what we did - also the decorator said he would come back and touch up any bits that might get scuffed in the process.

If you really want to make their life easier - remove the grippers as well

One other option if you dont want bare floors for a while is to just remove 4" or so around the edges

HampshireH

Currently in this hell. We have carpets going in next week. Inherited a hardwood click/clack floor. Spent 2 days ripped that up. All skirting sat on top of it so that needs to come off and be replaced and painted before Tuesday.

House is a mess. Stress levels are high especially as the old owners literally put their pipes through the skirting and had completely mismatched boards throughout the lounge / diner. Glued and nailed them on

I dont think I've ever cursed a stranger so much 🤣 and I've become b&qs top customer this weekend

Nebbit

good advice, thanks

Bigphil1474

You should ask your fitter about the old grippers. Sometimes it's preferable to use the old ones. The new ones they get aren't as good apparently. If you are having wood floor fitted, it's usually better to replace the skirting, if it's carpet usually no need. We always clear the floor of old carpet and underlay (unless re using), and give it a good clean, so that we are only paying for the fitter to come and do the actual fitting. You don't want any paint pots anywhere near your new carpet. It is surprisingly easy to cut up old carpet with a reasonably sharp knife. Our living room carpet was 24 square metre and I cut it up into strips and got it in my car for the tip.

mta999

When cutting the old carpet up, it is easier to cut into strips from the back of the carpet.