Removing Carpet Nail Strips

The strips of metal nails under your carpet and carpet padding are called tack strips.

Removing carpet nail strips.

Some people have a hard time with this step but i ll show you how to remove carpet tack strips the easy way with three simple tools. Pry up the metal nosing and remove it if present. Use the 6 in 1 painter s tool and a hammer to lift one end of one of the strips. Removing tackless strips is a job requiring a certain amount of patience and care if you do not intend on refinishing the floor.

After pulling up your carpet you will most likely have tack strips left around the perimeter of the room. Pick somewhere to start either a corner or a break between two tack strips. If not cut the carpet near the top of the top stair riser. The trick is to use a cat s paw prybar and to remove all the nails holding each tackless strip.

Step 3 place the curved edge of a small pry bar against the tack strip lining the pry bar up with the first nail. If the floor is made of concrete you are left with unsightly holes along the perimeter of the room. Carpet tack strips can usually remain in place but look for rust rot or other damage. You may also need to remove your carpet if you have hardwood floors underneath that you would like to refinish.

The strips are nailed to the subfloor and while removing them is labor. Removing old carpeting may be necessary to save labor costs if you are having your carpet replaced. Carpet tack strips are pieces of wood with small sharp nails sticking out of them that grip a carpet and hold it in place. If you re removing your old carpet and planning to install new carpet in its place you don t have to remove.

Typically there will be three nails spaced evenly along each three foot section of tack strip. Carpet tack strips are wooden boards installed around the perimeter of a floor to hold carpet in place. Locate the brad nails that hold the first piece of tack strip to the floor. Grab the cut end of carpet and pull it from the stairs using gloved hands.

If you decide to remove the carpet you must also pry up the tack strips which are held in place with nails. Begin at the top of the stairs. Step 5 remove the carpet tack strips.