Smaller pieces of carpet or old throw rugs can also be turned into gorgeous throw pillows. I would think that synthetic carpets are not ideal for the garden as they will never rot down and the foam backing will break down and get everywhere. Learn 11 genius ideas to reuse old carpet scraps so you don't have to waste anything after switching up the flooring in your home. We are thinking of putting used carpet as a underlay/weed mat and then put mulch/ wood chips on top of it to go around the plants and trees -to avoid mowing the lawn in the future. We use old carpet in the garden. Learn all about laying carpet underlay correctly so that it preserves the life of the carpet, feels great underfoot and does not ruck up causing ridges and gaps. Also find out about the different types of underlay and which one you should use Answer Save. First off, the old carpet must be thoroughly cleaned. Installing laminate flooring over carpet underlayment will do more harm than good in the long run. NoJail4You. Also, any odor or stain will eventually show up in the new carpet. Use strips as mats at every door. Smaller pieces of carpet or old throw rugs can also be turned into gorgeous throw pillows. We make strips about 2 feet wide and lay them out for walk ways. Is there any reason why I can't use my old carpet for underlay for my new one? It is not the right material for padding. There are good reasons why you need to use carpet underlay … You absolutely cannot use carpet underlayment underneath laminate flooring. 22 Answers. If you don’t have an old throw rug or any carpet to use, you could just as easily pick this one up on Etsy for around $130. We make strips about 2 feet wide and lay them out for walk ways. But old underlay is much more likely to show signs of wear, especially in a high traffic area of your home, which will cause ridges and make the carpet wear unevenly. NoJail4You. "Old carpet and rugs can function as a weed barrier underneath pea gravel, but the idea has its drawbacks. It will actually be abrasive to the back of the new carpet. When replacing your carpet, don’t be tempted to use the existing underlay. can you leave an old carpet down and put a new carpet on top of it to act as an underlay? Also, any odor or stain will eventually show up in the new carpet. For a diy fit i would say turn the stanley so you score/scorch the carpet with the back of the blade, lift the carpet back then cut with the correct edge of the blade, then strretch on to the gripper and over the … I found this beauty on Etsy but you could easily recreate the concept if you wanted. We use old carpet in the garden. Relevance. 2. Beat way to cut, new stanley blade, you may use 2 on a room. Can I use old carpeting or rugs as underlayment beneath my pea gravel? Carpet tiles can be laid over old carpet with a bit of effort. Favorite Answer . Standard laminate flooring underlayment carpet vs laminate underlayment can my old carpet be as an underlay for new flooring. 22 Answers. If you are replacing your old carpet with new or secondhand carpet, consider reusing your old carpet rather than just taking it to the tip. I have an old cheap carpet which is flat as a pancake and I would like to get a new one for as cheap as possible. We got a large lifestyle block and just planted quite a lot of plants, trees and etc. As much as you want to cut down costs on a new floor, this is not the way to do it. You'll regret this decision very quickly. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of crafty ways to use your old carpet so it doesn’t spend the next 2,000 decades surrounded by trash (although that may be where yours belongs). It may have overstayed its welcome as flooring, but that’s no reason to toss your carpet in the dumpster! 1 decade ago. Some people think it’s OK to use existing underlay and if it’s quite new then that’s fine. I would not reuse it if it was 20 yrs old. can you leave an old carpet down and put a new carpet on top of it to act as an underlay? be sure no pets on those old carpets or they will flock to spray over those old carpets that had dogs or cats. When you tear up carpet, you must remove everything down to the subfloor.