removing carpet

[tncamp]

We are removing all of the carpet from our 1997 Oakwood 16X80. What is the best way to get the carpet and pad out from under the walls? This is the biggest problem. We are cutting small sections out to work on but we aren't having much success getting it from under the interior walls. Thanks!

[David Oxhandler]

Your home must have been built early 70s or earlier. Since the HUD code was established walls can no longer be installed over carpet. The best thing to do is cut it away as close to the wall as you can and leave the old rug under the wall... The walls have been resting on the carpet for a long time. You dont want a void below the bottom plate of the wall..

[tncamp]

Thanks David,

We special ordered this home directly from Oakwood in 1997. We have had alot of issues with this home and are just trying to make the best of it. I was afraid we would have to leave some of the carpet (and vinyl in the kitchen & laundry room) since the walls are build on top of it.

[ccrumpler]

We own a few rental homes ranging in age from 1998 to 2003 - and when we remodel, the carpet & vinyl has always been run under the walls. Given us some extra vinyl when we didn't expect it in closets and such, but overall it's a pain. Best solution we've found is to leave it under the walls and just cut the carpet right up next to it.

[trmimo]

HUD prevented banned carpet under exterior walls, but many, many HUD homes have been built with carpet under the interior walls.