Embarking on a home improvement project is akin to peeling back the layers of time, revealing decades of wear and tear. One such formidable task is the removal of a carpet tack strip—the often-overlooked but crucial components that secure our carpets in place.
You have two choices when it comes to tacks trip removal.
- Leave them be if they are in good shape and you are installing new carpet—saving you money.
- Get them out of there!
I am no stranger to the second option. Now, let’s get started.
FROM DIY TO D-O-N-E
Hasta la Vista, Carpet Tack Strips!
So, you found yourself beginning the intricate process of liberating floors from these seemingly innocuous strips after removing carpeting. Remember, taking the time to eliminate additional attachments reduces the risk of causing unnecessary harm to the underlying surface.
What tools you will need to remove tack strips: thick work gloves or demolition gloves with finger-tip protection, goggles, a rubber mallet, a pry bar, knee pads, and a small square of cardboard/carpet or a putty knife (if removing strips from wood floors).
Not required but can be used: a gardening chair instead of knee pads.
Ensure the pry bar’s fissure, or slotted space, lines up with the first brad nail in the upholstery tack strip.
You could use a hammer; however, the sounds will pierce your ears! Keep tapping until the bar is wedged underneath the strip.
Lifting the strip with the pry bar will create a small space between the carpet tack strip and the floor and dislodge the nail from the floor with a loud “pop!”.
Repeat steps 1-3 until the carpet tack strip is free from the flooring.
This is where a rolling garden chair can save you lots of time and body aches as you continue dislodging the strips around the room.
Removal recommendations are outlined in the in-depth guidance section of this article.
Whether installing new carpeting or hardwood flooring, prepare the room for the next steps in your flooring project.
Delve into the art of effectively removing those stubborn tack strips.
How you remove the tack strips is independent of the type of flooring they are attached to— except for exercising additional caution when removing them to avoid damaging hardwood flooring underneath. After completing the DIY project, I did not need to patch the small holes in the cement or subflooring; therefore, fixing any damage is not outlined in this article.
⚠ Warning
Gloves and protective eye gear are necessary when removing tack strips. The nails holding the tack strip in place could be rusty, the tacks are incredibly sharp, and the pressure of popping the strip up could send debris flying. It is crucial to take appropriate precautions and seek professional assistance if needed.
If you scrolled through the warning above, let me say again: prying tack strips without removing nails or staples that are securing them can stress your tools and yourself. It can also pose an incredible safety risk, as these fasteners may entangle the tools. By clearing the area of these obstacles, you create a safer working environment and prolong the life of your tools.
Removing nails, staples, or tape helps achieve a clean and smooth subfloor. This is particularly important if you plan to install new flooring, as an even surface promotes better adhesion and reduces the likelihood of imperfections or bumps in the new flooring.
Below, you will find comprehensive step-by-step instructions and insights to ensure your DIY journey is successful and easy.
1
Align the Pry Bar Against the Tack Strip
Removing carpet tack strips might seem like a heavy-duty job, but the task can easily be done with a pry bar and rubber mallet—trust me! Now, you could use a hammer to dislodge the strip from the cement floor if that’s what’s available, but it will create a loud, unbearable noise as it is smacked against the metal pry bar.
You do not want to take the pry bar, wedge it under random spots of the carpet tack strips, and yank away. Doing this will only cause a lot of frustration—and splintered wood.
Pick your starting location, take the flat end of the straight side of the pry bar, and ensure the fissure, or slotted space, lines up with the first brad nail (the nails securing the tack strip in place) in the upholstery tack strip.
2
Tap the Pry Bar with the Rubber Mallet
Tap the other end of your pry bar gently with a mallet, always keeping the tool aligned with the brad nail. After a few taps, the strip should lift slightly along with the nail.
It is normal if some sections of the tack strip require excessive tapping to lodge the pry bar underneath. As you keep working throughout the room, you will get more comfortable feeling the best placement and tapping cadence.
3
Apply Upward Pressure
Once the strip gives way, pull up with the pry bar to lift the nail and the corresponding section of the carpet tack strip. If you cannot pull up the section seamlessly, tap more of the pry bar. It means you are too far from the brad nail to pop it out of place.
🚨 Unintentional ASMR
The gentle creak of the tack strip lifting from the subfloor is like a subtle murmur of releasing tension, punctuated by the occasional satisfying pop as the nails dislodge. This action creates an unexpectedly soothing rhythm that resonates with a quiet, tactile pleasure.
4
Go to the Next Nail and Repeat
Continue these steps until you have managed to remove the entire strip. If the strip splinters and nails are still on the floor, you can use the flat end of the pry bar to pull up loose nails or the curved or claw end of the pry bar to remove tighter nails. Ensure the fissure is around the nail and press down on the opposite end of the bar to get the nail out.
Keep in Mind
With the cement floor method, you might end up with small holes, thanks to those harder-to-remove nails. You can patch them up or have a pro do it before your new flooring goes in. I am installing hardwood floors; therefore, I did not need to patch the small holes in the cement.
If the strips are glued to the floor, you can use your pry bar to loosen them up. Wedge the pry bar under the strip by the floor and give it a few mallet taps to get things moving. DO NOT use a heat gun to soften the adhesive because the heat can release fumes and damage flooring and surrounding materials.
Always exercise caution and seek professional advice or consult the manufacturer’s recommendations for the specific flooring materials and adhesives. Consulting with a flooring or home improvement expert is often a good idea if you need more clarification.
5
Go Around the Room; Repeat Steps 1-4
I opted for a unique approach to protective gear when removing carpet tack strips. Rather than relying on traditional knee pads, I decided to cruise around the room on a rolling garden chair—saving time and body aches. This unconventional choice provided a comfortable seating option, allowing quick and efficient maneuvering from one spot to another. The rolling garden chair not only spared my body but also added an element of enjoyment to the project. It is a testament to the creativity that can be injected into home improvement tasks—turning what might have been a mundane chore into a surprisingly pleasant and swift experience.
Alternative Method for Tack Stip Removal
If crouching down or getting on your knees isn’t comfortable for you, try doing this job standing up. Instead of a pry bar and mallet, use a digging or spade-nose shovel or a floor bully to remove carpet tack strips and follow the instructions above.
6
Dispose of the Carpet Tack Strips
Anyone can hire a company to remove them or pay for additional trash pickup from their garbage disposal provider. However, suppose someone has an old box they mean to break down and recycle. In that case, they can break down the tack strips into manageable sizes, fit them into the box, and then place them into their trash can at no extra cost—unless they want to tip their garbage person!
7
Inspect and Clean the Area
Once the tack strips are removed and the subfloor is clear of additional fasteners, you will be better prepared for the next steps in your flooring project. Whether installing new carpet or another type of flooring, having a clean and well-prepared surface is essential for a successful and aesthetically pleasing result.
As I eagerly anticipated the installation of hardwood floors, I took proactive steps to enhance the livability of the space in the interim by applying Killz paint to the subflooring. This strategic decision not only helps to mitigate any potential odors associated with the 30-plus-year-old carpeting I removed and the plywood smells beneath but also serves as a foundation for a smoother, more aesthetically pleasing transition to hardwood flooring. It was a small yet impactful step in preparing the space for the exciting transformation ahead.
Okay, I’ll discuss removing carpet tack strips from a hardwood floor….
Removing tack strips from a wood floor is similar to removing them from concrete. However, the goal here is to cause the least damage if you plan to restore the floor. Now, you will have small holes in the floor from the brad nails, but you want to go the extra mile to prevent additional scuffs and scrapes—or worse.
You’ll still need a pry bar and your mallet, but here’s where the piece of carpet or cardboard will come in handy. Still, line up the fissure of the curved end of your pry bar with the first brad nail of the tack strip, but place the piece of carpet or cardboard under the bar’s curve to prevent scratches as you tap the other end with your mallet to wedge out the nail.
If you don’t have a piece of carpet/cardboard handy, gently slide a putty knife under the tack strip. Then, place the pry bar on top before removing each nail. The putty knife is another way to protect the floor as you work. Repeat until you’ve removed each strip.
What You Shouldn’t Do
Avoid using a flathead screwdriver to pry the strips or brad nails from the upholstery strip. A screwdriver will only damage your hardwood floor and cause the tack strips to splinter, making removal more of a headache than necessary. Use your pry bar or try a 5-in-1 painter’s tool.
JUST👏 DON’T 👏 USE 👏 A 👏 SCREWDRIVER!
Do not use excessive force or tools that may cause damage. Avoid hammering them in further, as this can harm the floor. Instead, use pliers or a staple remover to lift them, minimizing potential damage gently. You should be able to pull all of the staples out with pliers. Again, don’t use a screwdriver. You will only damage your floor if you try to dig the staples out!
Do not fret if you are apprehensive about tack strip removal. I had zero experience removing tack strips, baseboards, and carpet removal—DIY was motivated to save money. Trust me, if I can do it, you most certainly are qualified. But do not be afraid to ask for help if needed! By subscribing to my YouTube channel, you can watch some ASMR tack strip removal videos for inspiration and guidance. Go ahead and click the button below.
About esseio.
Providing clear-cut instructions for your home renovation project because transforming your living space should be simple, pleasing, and worry-free. And I know how it feels when everything that can go wrong goes wrong.
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