How to Prepare Concrete Floors for Carpet
- 1). Remove all dirt and debris from the concrete floor. Sweep the concrete floor with a stiff broom, or vacuum the concrete with an attachment specially designed for hard floors.
- 2). Mop the concrete floor using a bleach solution. Pour approximately a gallon of water into a large bucket; add a few squirts of dish soap and a capful of bleach. Apply the bleach solution with a mop. The bleach will kill any bacterial growth that is on the concrete floor before the carpet is laid down.
- 3). Rinse the floor with clear, hot water. This can be done by using a second, clean mop. It is important to remove as much of the excess bleach and soap as you can.
- 4). Allow the concrete floor to dry thoroughly. You can use floor fans to help speed up the drying process. It may be necessary to move the fans around to help the floor dry evenly.
- 5). Seal the concrete floor using a commercial sealing product. Sealers are usually applied with a paint roller and are effective in preventing moisture from entering your carpeting and padding. Allow the sealer to dry according to the manufacturer's recommendations before beginning the installation of your new carpet.
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