Removing Carpet Tacks Without Damaging Wood

Begin at the top of the stairs.

Removing carpet tacks without damaging wood. Carpet tack strips can usually remain in place but look for rust rot or other damage. Today i am sharing how to remove tack strips without damaging the floors underneath. To remove the staples use a screw driver and a pair of pliers or a tack puller which you can buy at any hardware store. Instead they ve developed a smart efficient way to remove staples with a shovel or long handled floor scraper.

After pulling up your carpet you will most likely have tack strips left around the perimeter of the room. If both the treads and the risers are carpeted you may be able to slide the blade of a utility knife along an edge without scratching the wood. If there s a metal nosing at the top of the stairs pry it up to remove it. Pry up the metal nosing and remove it if present.

If you are pulling up carpet from stairs. To remove carpet from stairs start at the top. We got our first real experiment with it when we moved into our house. Removing old carpeting may be necessary to save labor costs if you are having your carpet replaced.

Without damaging the wood you must reach under the carpet and pry it free. This will avoid damage to the hardwood floors from grit and debris trapped beneath the tack strips. You may also need to remove your carpet if you have hardwood floors underneath that you would like to refinish. When you are able to pull back old carpet and find beautiful hardwood floors underneath it is like hitting the jackpot.

The hardest part about removing carpet from stairs is starting. Grab the cut end of carpet and pull it from the stairs using gloved hands. If the carpet is seamed to another section of carpet the installer can separate the seam without damage to the carpet that s staying in place. Step 1 get started.

Hold the tool at about a 45 degree angle and slide it forcefully along the floor. Flooring installers don t use a cat s paw to remove staples after old carpet has been removed there are just too many of them. Joe is working on a carpet removal project now he is ready to. Matt and i have removed a lot of carpet over the years.

For safety place each strip in a box or trash can as you remove it.