Carpet Removal & Disposal Service: Comprehensive Guide

Leave the heavy lifting of carpet removal and disposal to the licensed waste carriers found on Rubbish.com. Our nationwide network of man & van rubbish removal teams can help you get rid of that stinky old carpet and dispose of it in an eco-friendly way. Get competitive prices on carpet removal and other bulky waste removal with our independent rubbish removal partners in the UK.

We remove & dispose of carpets and rugs

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Best carpet removal & disposal services UK

Old furniture and décor can be charming, but seldom if ever do people find old carpet to be quite so charming. Stinky or stained carpets can be an eyesore, which is why man & van rubbish removal teams are your ideal choice for affordable carpet removal in the UK.
Our rubbish removal partners can help dispose of all types of carpets such as wool carpets, polypropylene carpets, twisted pile carpets, rugs, floor mats, area rugs, bath mats, doormats, and much more.

Carpet removal service near you

If your carpet is excessively damaged from water flooding or it’s matted, stained, or reeks of odours from pet urine or other sources, it’s important to get rid of it quickly so that you can breathe easy and replace your floor with a new carpet or other flooring.
Dispose of your unwanted carpet by contacting a licensed waste carrier on this site and request a no-obligation quote today.

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Carpet removal & disposal: questions people commonly ask

Is removing carpet expensive?

Our licensed waste carrier member partners typically charge around £35 to £90 for carpet removal and disposal. This is approximately equivalent to 1 cubic yard of carpet, or the total carpet waste generated from one large and fully carpeted room.

One must also consider the cost of uplifting the carpet, which generally costs around £4 per cubic metre. For an average living room in the UK measuring 17 square metres, this would cost approximately £68.

How much does it cost to rip out carpet and install laminate?

The cost of ripping out carpet and replacing it with laminate can vary from around £350 to £420 for one room. These rough estimates can be higher or lower depending on the quality of laminate flooring, the labour involved with uplifting the old carpet and fitting the new laminate, the size of the room, and your choice of fitters.

What is the most efficient way to remove carpet?

The most efficient way to remove carpet is to start pulling it from one of the corners with pliers and remove as much as possible without additional effort. If you meet resistance, begin cutting the carpet into 1m wide strips (or thinner, if necessary) with a utility knife and pulling along each strip by hand.

How often should you replace carpet in the UK?

Carpets have highly variable lifespans that can range from around 5 to 15 years. Consider replacing your carpet if it is showing significant signs of wear or if it has accumulated stains and/or odours that cannot be removed with thorough carpet cleaning.

Why you should get rid of carpet?

You should get rid of your carpet if it has significant signs of damage such as flooding, excessive stains and/or foul odours that cannot be removed with steam cleaning, or if you wish to upgrade your flooring with hardwood floors, laminate, or vinyl, for example.

Is it healthier to not have carpet?

It is generally always healthier to not have a carpet in your home, all other things being held equal. This is because carpets, no matter how well maintained, accumulate dust and can attract mould which can trigger chronic respiratory illnesses such as asthma as well as allergies.

Homes with carpets should be kept clean and clutter free and carpets should be professionally steam cleaned routinely to avoid the buildup of dust and mould.

Is it cheaper to lay flooring or carpet?

It is generally cheaper to lay carpet than flooring. The typical cost of laying carpet in the UK is £57 per square metre, whereas the cost of laying hardwood flooring is around £94 per square metre.

For a typical 17m2 room, the costs would be approximately £969 for carpet and £1,598 for hardwood flooring. Your choice of materials, the size of the room, and the amount of labour required can significantly affect these rough estimated costs.

Is it cheaper to remove old carpet?

The cost of removing old carpet may not be very different than removing newer carpet and it may indeed cost more if you need to clean and remove any mould or glue that has bonded to the underlay. Conversely, old carpet may be easier to tear off from the underlay and it may make DIY carpet uplift jobs easier and more efficient.

How long does it take to remove carpet?

It should normally take less than a day to remove carpet from a typical room measuring 17m2. Provided you have all of the essential tools for carpet removal at hand, carpet removal may take around 1-2 hours with two people working.

This may take longer if multiple staples need to be manually removed or you need to remove underlay that has been bonded too strongly to the carpet backing.

What is the best solvent to remove carpet glue?

The best solvent to remove carpet glue from wood or concrete depends on the type of flooring adhesive used.

White-coloured adhesives are water-based and can be dissolved with a mixture of hot water and soap applied to the adhesive. Allow time to absorb and scrape away any residue.

Brown-coloured adhesives are not water-based and require sanding, scrubbing, or the application of cola or a specialised floor glue remover product. Consider a citrus-based mastic floor glue remover.

How messy is carpet removal?

Carpet removal can be very messy since dust and debris can be dispersed when uplifting and removing carpet from the floor. This can cause allergic reactions and trigger respiratory illnesses such as asthma, so it is important to use personal protective equipment such as a mask and goggles to avoid contact with dust and debris from the carpet.

How long does it take to put carpet down in one room in the UK?

It will generally take less than a day to lay carpet in a typical room in the UK measuring 17m2. If the room is square and there is no need to lay carpet on stairs or around obstacles, the job may take 2-4 hours.

How long should you stay off carpet after cleaning?

If you have recently steam-cleaned your carpets, avoid stepping on the carpet until it is adequately dry. This can take around six hours, depending on humidity and ventilation. Place fans, open windows, and/or use a dehumidifier to accelerate the process of drying your carpet.

Is it worth cleaning a 20 year old carpet?

It is almost never worth cleaning a 20 year old carpet. Carpets tend to last between 5-15 years, so a 20 year old carpet likely has significant signs of wear and tear, matting, and dust and debris accumulated deep within the piling.

Steam cleaning cannot completely remove the damage to such an old carpet and it is almost always better to have your carpet replaced.

How much does it cost to remove old carpet in the UK?

The cost of removing and disposing of carpet can vary from around £35 to £90, depending on the size of the carpet.

The cost of uplifting old carpet in the UK may cost around £4 per square metre. For a typical 17m2 room, this would cost approximately £68. These costs may be higher if the carpet runs along stairs or obstacles and/or if the carpet adhesive is challenging and time-consuming to remove.

What kind of mask is best for ripping up carpet?

When ripping up carpet, it is essential to wear an N95 respirator dust mask to avoid breathing in any dust or debris. Ensure that the mask fits snugly and has no gaps where dust can enter.

In addition to a dust mask, wear protective goggles and consider using gloves and knee pads to make the job of ripping up the carpet safer.

What is the fastest way to remove carpet?

The fastest way to remove a carpet is generally to contact a qualified professional. Carpet installers and water damage and flooded carpet professionals can typically remove carpet from a typical room in 1-2 hours.

For DIY carpet removal, the fastest way is normally to try pulling on the carpet from one of its corners until it meets resistance. If the carpet won’t pull up easily, begin cutting 1m wide strips with a utility knife and pull each up by hand.

What to do after removing carpet?

After removing carpet, it is important to clean the surface and to remove any residue from flooring adhesive, loose debris and dust, and/or any staples left behind. Vacuum and sweep your floors to remove as much debris as possible, then inspect the floor for any signs of bonded adhesive left over. Remove the adhesive with a homemade solvent or a specialised glue remover product then mop the floor.

Is glued-down carpet hard to remove?

Glued-down carpet tends to be harder to remove than carpets bonded with staples or tacks. Sometimes, carpet adhesives can become strongly bonded between the carpet backing and the flooring underlay, slowing down the carpet removal process significantly.

To facilitate the uplifting and removal of glued carpets, try cutting the carpet into 1m wide strips with a utility knife and pull back as far as the carpet will go. Use a homemade or specialised glue remover product to dissolve the glue wherever the carpet meets resistance to pulling.

Can you put carpet in the bin in the UK?

Carpet should never be placed inside of your council bin along with ordinary household waste and rubbish. Many councils will collect unwanted carpet as bulky waste, but many will not. You may be able to take your carpet to the council tip for free or a nominal charge, but check your local council website to be sure.

To remove carpet quickly and with minimal hassle, leave the job to a man & van rubbish removal team near you.