Tips On Removing Carpet and Tack Strip

When having work done by professionals one can save money by pulling up carpet themselves. Most carpeting is installed by the stretched in method, requiring the use of carpet tack strip; called tackless by the professionals. I have no reason why they call it tackless because those little buggers have extremely sharp pinheads used to keep the carpet stretched. For those inexperienced, the use of gloves may save some band aids.

Start In A Corner

Our first step would be to pull back a section in the corner of a room with pliers. Release the rest of the carpet from the tack strip by shaking or wiggling and begin cutting into sections o Cut carpet into manageable sections f 3-4 foot width shown on the right. This method will allow manageable rolls to be removed from the premises. If you should have existing hardwood underneath be careful not to cut too deeply. It's best to hold the carpet off the floor surface then cut.

Staples And Carpet Padding

Hopefully your carpet padding that was under the carpet is not attached with thousands of staples. This will depend on the original installer as some will load a bunch of 'em into the floor. To remove staples, needle nose pliers work best. It may take time but you should get the hang of removal by not yanking them quickly, but grabbing a piece and twisting in rollover fashion. Placing a wide bladed putty knife underneath will protect from dinging the hardwood floor. Should the carpet padding be glued to the existing hardwood floors, the use of mineral spirits to soften the adhesive will work.

Often with much older hardwood floors that were carpeted over, previous owners may have used nails or screws to stop squeaks. Yea, I know...pretty disheartening to think someone could actually do this to what was probably a jewel of the house. Removing the nails is often too troublesome and causes too much damage. If there are far too many, you may want to consider keeping a distressed or antique appearance rather than trying to use a nail set.

If you should happen to have concrete subfloors some carpet pad may be perimeter glued. This padding can be removed with the use of a flooring scraper. Flooring supply stores are a great source, but Home Depot and Lowes also carries them.

Removing Tack Strip

Informing the contractor that will handle the hardwood floor work you've taken care of the carpet removal doesn't stop there. Tack strip removal becomes the hardest part if the subfloor is concrete. Removing can be accomplished with the use of a hammer and pry bar (wonder bar).

With existing hardwood floors that are to be refinished, it becomes important to be careful once again as damage can be incurred. Use of a wide putty knife works once again here. Tack strip is commonly attached with small nails that are spaced about six inches apart. Set your pry bar near where it will engage with the nail and pound with hammer. Carefully pry back and move onto the next one.

For concrete subfloors tack strip or the actual nail removal can be frustrating. If you're aggressive enough, one or two solid blows with the hammer against the heel of the pry bar should be sufficient to dislodge the nails. During removal, small divots in the concrete will appear and should not be a concern.

Tools Needed: Work gloves, utility knife, pliers, needle nose pliers, hammer, pry bar, safety glasses vacuum cleaner or broom.

Related Pages:

• Tear Out Old Glue Down Floors
• Removing Ceramic Tile
• Installing Carpet Against Hardwood