Removing tack strips from concrete leaves holes in the subfloor.
Remove tack strip from concrete without damaging floor.
A lot of times i can just use the pliers to get the staples up but some staples are so close to the floor that i need to use the wonder tool to get them started.
Once you have all of the tack strips up it is time to remove any staples on the floor from the carpet pad.
Begin at the top of the stairs.
If you plan to polish the concrete and use it as the floor surface fill these holes with masonry caulking or leveling compound.
If you are pulling up carpet from stairs.
This will avoid damage to the hardwood floors from grit and debris trapped beneath the tack strips.
You must not pull out the nails.
For safety place each strip in a box or trash can as you remove it.
If the floor is made of concrete you are left with unsightly holes along the perimeter of the room.
The tack strips used to secure carpeting to a concrete slab are equipped with small hardened nails that penetrate and grip the concrete.
Sweep the entire floor as soon as the tack strips have all been removed.
These small nails must be pried out as the tack strip is removed and they typically chip out the concrete gripped by them.
Since these tack strips are nailed into the floor there will be small holes in the floor when you are done but it is important to cause as little damage as possible in the process.
Carpet tack strips can usually remain in place but look for rust rot or other damage.
If you decide to remove the carpet you must also pry up the tack strips which are held in place with nails.
Carpet tack strips are wooden boards installed around the perimeter of a floor to hold carpet in place.
I love using the wonder tool and these pliers for this job.
I did remove tack strips from a terazzo concrete floor before refinishing the floor with an acid wash.
Roll or fold the strip secure with duct tape and remove it from the room.