No, baseboards do not need to be removed. When installing baseboards before carpet, ask the installer how large of a gap to leave between the floor and the trim (e.g., ½''). The carpet installer can run the tack strip up to the trim, then roll excess carpet under the trim.
Start at one corner of your room and try to pull up the carpet. If it won't come up then cut a small 6 inch by 6 inch square in the corner with your utility knife. Remove this small piece of carpet and then pull up on the larger section. Your carpet is held down with tack strips.
Baseboard is installed before carpet, and the edges of the carpet butt to the base. For hardwood, the flooring is installed first, and the base sits atop the flooring. To install hardwood, it's necessary to remove the baseboards.
The baseboards can be applied either before or after the carpet is installed, so if you already have carpet you shouldn't be deterred from installing some baseboards.
You should know that, in many cases, moldings and baseboards need to be removed for carpet installation. Your installer may do this but at an additional charge and they will probably not be responsible for damage or beakage due to dry or brittle wood.
Baseboards are boards installed along the lowest part of interior walls, directly next to the floor. The purpose of baseboards is to hide the joints between the wall and floor as well as add visual appeal to the space. Most flooring applications do not require you to remove existing baseboards.
Why would I want to leave the baseboards on? If you have decided you do not want to remove the baseboards molding you can follow these steps. When installing wood flooring you are required to leave an expansion gap of approx the thickness of the flooring around the edges of the room.
Pull Up and Roll Carpet
Put on a pair of sturdy work gloves to start pulling up carpet in a corner of the room. The work can be dusty, so wear a dust mask and safety glasses. Use pliers to tightly grab the carpet. Pull toward you to detach it from the sharp tack strip that holds it to the floor along the wall.
If your carpet is old and dirty, however, it can cause fungal infections. The most common fungal infection you can get from old carpet is athlete's foot. Athlete's foot is a highly contagious infection that causes itching, stinging, and burning between your toes or on the soles of your feet.
The “new carpet” odor is the 4-PC off-gassing, which can cause eye and respiratory tract irritation and may also affect the central nervous system. The adhesive used to affix the carpet to the floor typically contains benzene and toluene, some of the most harmful VOCs.
Pick a corner, grab the carpet with a pair of pliers, and pull. If the carpet comes up easily, grab it by your hand and continue pulling it up. If it doesn't come up easily, use a utility knife to cut a 6-inch square in the corner. Remove the piece, then pull up the carpet by hand.
The best height for baseboard when carpet is going to be installed is 3/8". Why? Raised base makes it easier for the carpet installer to install ANY thickness of carpet and the edges look better.
Baseboards are usually installed before flooring with a reservation gap left at the bottom of the baseboards for the flooring to be slid underneath. The gap left under baseboards for flooring is dependent on the width of the flooring being installed.
For convenience, proper floor installation, and to save money, remove the baseboard during the installation process and reuse it with the new flooring. Since most types of laminate are not secured to the subfloor, the baseboard will help hold it securely into place.
Without baseboards, moisture spilled on the floor could easily penetrate the drywall, expanding upward and creating unsightly damage. Baseboards Protect Against Dirt and Debris: Baseboards can provide a solid 90-degree gap for dirt and debris to stop at.
If your trim is showing wear and tear, painting is always an option, but the prep work is important and can be time-intensive. Replacement is your best option if they're water-damaged, stained or warped.
The Standard
If you are just replacing the baseboards without flooring in place, then most contractors will ask you to give them between ⅜ and ½ inch of room between the subfloor and the baseboards. This will allow them the room they need to tuck your flooring underneath the baseboards.
Put on work gloves and a dust mask. Start at the shortest wall and lift up the corner of the carpet with pliers to detach it from the tack strip. Work along the wall toward the opposite end and lift the edge of the carpet up by hand to detach it from the tack strip along the short wall.
Directly beneath the floor surface
Under carpet, the next layer is usually a sheet of what's known as 'underlay'. The underlay can be made of foam, rubber or felt padding, and will act as additional cushioning and sound buffering. Floating floors may also sit on a bed of underlay.
Vinyl flooring installation typically takes between 1-2 days to complete. Some types of vinyl flooring, such as plank and tile, need a few days to acclimate to the temperature and humidity in your home prior to the installation. This process prevents expanding and contracting after the flooring is installed.
For most people carpet off- gassing is a minor issue or non-problem. New carpet does give off some VOCS. It usually takes 1 to 2 days for this to finish after the carpet has been unrolled and is at room temperature. In worst case may take 4 or 5 days.
If your new carpet is giving off a smell, chances are you have nothing to worry about. The small amount of chemicals in that odor is unlikely to make you ill, and the odor should be gone within a week or two as long as you properly ventilate the room.
As mentioned, the first 24 hours of installation is when the carpet emits the most VOCs in the air. For this reason, many recommend waiting two to three days before you consider sleeping in the room. Of course, this is only if the room was well-ventilated.
For a small charge, the floor will be vacuumed after the carpet is removed and an anti-microbial spray called Healthinex will be sprayed prior to installing the new carpet. There are also options to treat pet odors if that is a concern.