Rugs, Carpets and Carpeting - Are carpet foam pads usually glued or just stapled onto hardwood floors?

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Matz
12-12-03, 08:27 AM
Hi all,
I just bought a house and have not inspected the hardwood floors underneath the carpeting. What I know is:

1. Carpeting was put in 3 years ago
2. I'm assuming (and hoping) the hardwood is in good condition because of the perfectionist nature of the previous owner (original owner).

I'm in a huge hurry to remove the carpeting, and I hope that for the time being the floors are in good enough condition so I don't have to sand them down right now. ADHESIVE UNDER THE FOAM PADS WOULD RUIN MY PLAN!!

I helped a professional carpet layer out for a few weeks (100 years ago) and I don't recall him ever using adhesives to lay down the foam pads, we only used staples.

Does anyone know if it's common to use adhesive when laying carpet on top of hardwood floors?

Thanks,
Matz

Daniel Wachtel
12-12-03, 12:14 PM
It should be stapled.
Harry M
12-12-03, 06:47 PM
I would think it would be stapled . However I have seen people use pad adhesive also. Why would it ruin your plans. Simply screen it and prepare for a few layers of urethane if need be.

Matz
12-13-03, 03:18 PM
Yikes! I just got into the house today and yes, they used both staples and glue. The glue us water based, so I tried spraying water over it and scrape it off with a puddy knife. It works...but it's tedious of course :)

As for "screening" I assume you mean, putting furntiture, rugs etc over the bad areas right?

Also - when applying polyurethane to the surface, how long do I have to wait before putting furniture down?

Thanks for your responses!
Matz