Installingcarpetover carpet can be tempting in some situations.
Skipping removal saves on the cost and labor of tearing up and disposing of the old carpet.
Plus, glued-down carpeting is extra difficult to rip off of the subfloor.
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Despite these temptations, do not install carpet over carpet.
Doing so traps dust and mold between the layers of carpet.
Not only that but carpeting is a poor base for another layer of carpeting.
Tack strips cannot be nailed down to carpeting.
Traps Dust and Mold
Old carpeting harbors dust and mold.
Studies show thatmold and mildew in carpetingare exacerbated by the presence of dust.
Dust and moisture, with high temperatures added, equals mold and mildew.
It is virtually impossible to clean an old carpet enough to remove all of the dust.
Tip
One advantage of ripping up carpeting is that it lets you observe and repair the subfloor.
Poor Base For Carpet
Carpeting needs a solid base for proper installation and performance.
A carpet installed with an improper base will wear out quickly.
Traffic patterns already worn into the existing carpet will quickly be telegraphed up to the new carpet.
If you leave the carpet in place, you cannot nail down thetack strips.
Glued-down carpet is hard to remove.
For stubborn carpet glues, use a multi-tool with a scraper attachment.
A heat gun can help loosen up the stubborn glue.
Be very careful when using a heat gun near textiles and carpeting, though.
Raised Floor Creates Problems
Dual carpet layers create a higher floor.
By adding an extra layer to your flooring, you are effectively lowering your ceiling.
In a basement or any other height-challenged room, every inch counts.
Also, wood trim, casing, and baseboards will have to be removed and reinstalled.
30,5 (2020): 978-992. doi:10.1111/ina.12686
