Still not convinced that you should tackle the big project of removing carpet? I bought it to try it out and I have to say I was not disappointed at all. Cutting carpet can be a difficult with a dull blade, so make sure your tool is sharp before you begin. Knee pads and quality work gloves will make this project a bit easier on your body. Work in sections. I need to see what HD has in stock. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. It's painstaking but usually that's the best way to get it done. By following these simple steps for how to rip out carpet, you can begin the process of upgrading to luxurious new carpet or even a different type of flooring. I bought it to try it out and I have to say I was not disappointed at all. for the record, staircases suck. The guys that leave them and cover them up are hackers and aren't qualified to do carpet. For the affordable price tag,we felt like it was worth a try. HD sells a Rigid 7" heavy duty scraper that works wonders for this. Now that there is no obstacle between you and the carpeting, use a utility knife or a sharpened pair of tin snips to cut the carpet material into three- or four-foot-wide strips. The store will not work correctly in the case when cookies are disabled. Myself I am an old man with poor vision. I'm thinking some kind of flat shovel or long handled scraper. Next, grab the pulled up section of the plywood and lift it up to free the panel from the nails on the opposite side. The Fora platform includes forum software by XenForo, http://www.amazon.com/KR-Tools-11234-2-Inch-Pliers/dp/B002Q8HGTM, http://www.amazon.com/gp/search/refkeywords=staple+puller&ie=UTF8&qid=1271471369, VerticalScope Inc., 111 Peter Street, Suite 600, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2H1, Canada. All eligible items will have clear FREE Shipping verbiage on the product detail page. Scraping the floor ensures that it is smooth and clear, ready for resurfacing. Around $25. I don't care about the subfloor so that can get dinged up. Plus, that hardwood finish was too pretty to damage. I dont think I would be able to see the fastener standing up. The tool worked great did everything I wanted it to and the best part was I wasn't on my hands knees anymore ripping out staples. Slowly scrape the staple liking you are trying to skim off a thin layer of dirt. Once the staple is lifted away from the floor, use the pliers to pull the staple fully out of the wood. Get 10% Off Your Entire Purchase When You Open a New Account, Get our best deals and latest news delivered straight to you. During the height of the carpeting trend, people were covering up beautiful hardwood flooring, which was considered pass, with carpeting. This makes it much easier to apply pressure to the scraper, right at the back, without getting sore hands. Roll up the sections as you remove them, placing them into heavy-duty trash bags ready for disposal. Tacker staples tend to shear off so pulling is the only thing to do. For any difficulty using this site with a screen reader or because of a disability, please contact us at 1-800-444-3353 or cs@harborfreight.com. Removing carpeting is easy; someone who knows what theyre doing can strip it from an entire house in a matter of hours. Most likely, youll be spending hours on hands and knees, plucking out tiny carpet staples. Since the required tools are basic, youmost likely already have them in your toolbox. Finally, for staples that cant be reached with the 4 scraper, the ideal tool to use is a pair of diagonal cutters. Press down the handle to pop the staple out of the wood. Back a half century ago, the predominant flooring style for homes changed to carpeting. Also, if your blade doesn't lock, make sure your fingers aren't in its path if it should close on accident. Actual work time will vary based on the square footage of the hardwood. Use of images with text overlay (also known as a "pin image") or collage images are prohibited. Unless there are only a few staples to be removed, it will be worth the cost. So much better than using a flathead screwdriver. Note: Specifications are approximate and subject to change. Next, test the connection between each panel and the corresponding floor joists. I did a little more deep searching online and found a tool called The Staple Popper. Check to see if your garbage disposal service has bulk pickup days and if theyll take large qualities of carpet. Seriously. http://www.lowes.com/pd_160968-995-34792_0_?productId=3121751&Ntt=floor+scraper&Ntk=i_products&pl=1¤tURL=/pl__0__s?newSearch=true$Ntt=floor%20scraper$y=0$x=0. So, what are the pros and cons of the traditional method? For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Very interesting idea though. Before laying new flooring, it is important to remove any unwanted material, such as carpet glue or paint from the floor surface, as these can make it uneven. That was the case in a 1950s ranch home we renovated. It is easy to lose track of which flooring is complete if there are many carpet staples in the wood. A scraper will cut them off even with the floor. They provide the same sort of grip into the metal of the staple that the razor blade will. Check the subfloor for any signs of rot that may be the result of leaks or spills, and replace any damaged subfloor panels. If necessary, use a standard claw hammer to drive the nail puller under the head of the nail. Click to read the full Disclosure Statement, NEW PARTNER SITE! In that case, switching over to a smaller version of the same tool, with a 4 blade can help. There may be a few staples that dont come up readily with this tool, especially if they are bunched together. Scavenger Hunt Idea.com, click here to jump to the instruction card, tutorial on how to remove carpet staples from hardwood, Click to read the full Disclosure Statement. Use a claw hammer to extract any nails that remain in the floor joists. I don't leave staples of any type under any floor I do. Learn the simplest method to remove carpet staples from wood floors, with the right tools and a video tutorial. After pulling up the carpet, use the same method described above. When you finally decide to rip it up, be sure to give the carpeting one last thorough vacuuming. Next, slide the tip of theheavy-duty office staplerunderneath the carpet staple. Once you get a peice started ,cut a hand hole in it for a better grip. I have found that anything heavy and has an edge will pop the staples out very easily. But its not always as easy as one might think it is. Compared to the other methods Im going to mention, its the only one that can be done standing up, rather than hunched over for hours while working on the floor. How Do You Get Rid Of A Textured Ceiling? @Cory, yes, it can be tough on the hands! Probably pulled thousands over the years. There is no happier reno surprise than pulling up a corner of wall-to-wall carpeting and finding hardwood. If I were to do another project with wood floors and staples, I might try wrapping some foam around the handle. Get the extendable 8" replaceable blade scraper from the flooring dept at HD. Once the floor is clean, place the staple remover next to a carpet staple. We've always pulled them up using the small version of vice-grips. The ultimate resource for plywood. The blade of the scraper will shear off some staples and pull out others. This offer typically excludes these products and categories: For more information on shipping, please refer to our Shipping Policy. staples. Most people try to remove staples from the floor with either a straight-blade screwdriver or a pair of pliers. Additional replacement blades sold separately. Nailed down every 3 inches in a checkerboard pattern across the entire floor. Not sure who told me but not my invention. While carpeting has existed much longer than that, it was something reserved for the wealthy. Am I right?! Even with regular vacuuming, carpeting accumulates a great deal of dust, dirt, and debris. While it wont be as big an issue if new carpeting is being put down, especially with plywood subfloors, those staples have to come out for any other type of flooring. Carpet layers will usually just pound those staples down, before they install the new pad. Weve removed the carpet in 3 homes (soon to be 4) and through trial and error, weve learned what works. But if the home has hardwood floors in it, thats not a good idea. Better Tools 80194 18" Floor Scraper w/4" Blade, Better Tools 80728 36" to 72" Telescoping Floor Scraper w/8" Blade, Marshalltown 12" Bent Blade Floor Scraper, Roberts 10-195 Heavy Duty 6" Convertible Scraper, National 550 Adjustable Handle Floor Scraper. Begin removing carpet tack strips, which are typically nailed to the floor and have rows of staggered tacks that face up to grab the carpet. One staple at a time. Providing better information on softwood and hardwood. How To Remove Carpet Underlay Using A Scraper? Images may not be modified. In that case, use the pliers to fully remove the staple from the floor. I think it took me as long to remove staples from a single flight of stairs as the entire upstairs. Something specifically designed for this would probably work better though. I hate this house.. In most instances and on most surfaces the curved back of the vice grip will cause no damage if done gently and with no backing plate. If the molding looks a little worse for wear, consider giving it a fresh coat of paint before reinstalling it. A. Agitating the carpeting by pulling it up will cause it to release all the dust, pet dander and other allergens that have built up inside of it over the years, irritating the eyes, nose, and throat. If there is a recycling center near you that takes carpet, dispose of it there. Hope you try this, is way easier than any pliers and more efficient than scraping of tops of staples and leaving pieces in!!! Hope this helps. Be aware that using a scraper to remove carpet staples can sometimes damage the blade, so after use its likely to need replacing. Cut the carpet just under the nose of the landing with the utility knife. Limitations apply. Box stores have them. Sometimes, one end of the staple may still be stuck in the wood. Clamp on and used the curved back of the visegrips to pry the staple or nail out. On the other hand, if the wood floors are going to be refinished or another type of floor covering is going down, those tack strips cannot stay in place. Hereis a before and after of why it is so worth your time to remove staples and uncover hardwood. With that in mind, its a good idea to wear a respiratory mask and goggles when pulling up and disposing of old carpet. If you are planning to remove any carpet from hardwood floors, try out this staple removing tool. In that case, it will be necessary to remove them, while causing as little damage to the surface of the wood floor as possible. It is basically a tool that looks like a garden hoe that has been straightened out. Don't get scammed by websites pretending to be Harbor Freight. If the staple was put in unevenly and only one side pulls out of floor, bend the part of staple that's sticking out over the flat of the knife and pry it out diagonally so pressure is applied to the lowest part of staple still in floor. many. How Ive always removed staple or nails from types of wood. This will also give slight added height and add extra leverage. Check out our10 Favorite Carpet Removal Tools, and start building your carpet-removal kit. There are a couple of ways toremove carpet staples from hardwoodfloors: the traditionalmethod and the easy way. This will cause the staple to pop up out of the hardwood. The tool worked great did everything I wanted it to and the best part was I wasn't on my hands knees anymore ripping out staples. They won't hurt anything that way. Begin by using a scraper or spackling knife to remove as much dried glue as possible. Click to read the full Photo Use Policy, Lora Green, of Craftivity Designs, LLC, is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. I suggest that if you have hard time cleaning on your carpet, make it sure that you repair hallway carpet first so that it will just very easy for you to complete all the cleaning process. You must log in or register to reply here. There was a product review that described using an office-style staple remover for hardwood floors and carpet staples. Check the shoe molding for damage: If it looks like its in good shape, save it to be reused. Staples left behind or even the stubs of staples left behind will cause bumps in the new floor covering and might even poke through, damaging the new flooring and creating a hazard. Insert the hooked end of your pry bar or a specialized tack strip remover under a tack strip, then press down on the long end to lever the strip upward. Before installing new flooring, remember to make any necessary repairs to the subfloor so your brand new flooring doesnt inherit the squeaks and creaks that plagued your old carpeting. Begin at the top of the stairway. I did a little more deep searching online and found a tool called The Staple Popper. Really nice information you had provided here. This method is easier on your hands. Now dont get me wrong, this solution isnt a miracle-worker. Personna manufactures a 4 scrape that has a bulbous end to the handle. It is small and flat enough to slip under the staple and requires gentle effort! Many times, they covered up beautiful hardwood floors with them. This offer is valid for orders shipped within the contiguous U.S. only, and does not apply to shipments to Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico or international orders. Tools & Materials Large contractor trash bags Nail puller pliers Steel putty knife Flat pry bar (at least 15) Tack strip remover (optional) Hammer See full list Utility knife (or tin snips) Leather work gloves Vice grip pliers Carpet padding adhesive remover (optional) Scraper (optional) We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. You can use the blade backwards for staple pulling. A. Always had the problem of finding a way to remove the carpet staples easily and tried everything from pliers, side cutters, screwdrivers, ice scraper, etc. If its they arent too long (staple gun) you can use a shovel. 15 Totally Unexpected DIY Flooring Alternatives, The 7 Best Low-Cost Alternatives to Hardwood Flooring. P.S. Sometimes they need to be sharpened, because they are normally dull on both sides. If your order also contains items that do not qualify, you would ONLY pay shipping charges for these ineligible items (as long as your order is over $75). It may not display this or other websites correctly. Sometimes, one end of the staple will still stuck in the wood. Expert advice from Bob Vila, the most trusted name in home improvement, home remodeling, home repair, and DIY. A. Glued-down carpet is easy enough to pull up; however, youll need to get rid of the glue that remains on the subfloor before installing new flooring or carpeting. Another common use for a floor scraper is to remove old underlay or carpet which has been glued directly to the wooden or concrete subfloor. A floor scraper is also a useful tool for removing carpet staples from plywood and particle-wood floors. The slow work of using a flathead screwdriver to lift each staple motivated us to purchasethis tool from Amazon aka: the easy way to remove carpet staples from hardwood. Always had the problem of finding a way to remove the carpet staples easily and tried everything from pliers, side cutters, screwdrivers, ice scraper, etc. In the second homethat we renovated, we were faced with the task of removing so. And a child would have the strength to pry out the fastener. It's just that simple! I just used one of the slim knife parts on my pocket knife. When i was doing this, I used the chisel part of a crowbar and it worked great. Nevertheless, there are still plenty of homes where carpeting is installed in at least part of the home. Its all done except for a small section under a waterbed (for obvious reasons). The staircase was the worst due to the sheer number of staples used. Before grabbing the nails with pliers, you might first need to coax them upward a little with a putty knife. Leaving those staples in place can cause problems down the road, if it is ever decided to refinish the hardwood floors. My solution was to borrow a tool that is made for this job. If the padding has been secured with carpet staples, you can rely on nail puller pliers to do the job without gouging your floor surface. i just ripped out my carpet and padding in my dining room and putting in engineered hardwood, lock and fold Bruce. Depends on the staples used. Plus it looked like they had a tad bit of problem getting it to lay flat with the wheels wanting to raise it up while sliding. Visegrip pliers with a curved back. The tacks can be gripped with these and pulled up on, which will cause the strip to come up, possibly breaking in the process. Before reusing them though, check that they are firmly nailed to the floor, that the upward facing tacks are still in place and that there arent any parts that came up with the carpeting. Enter Our Dog Days of Summer BBQ Giveaway Now! If the staples or nails are already holding something down they are probably proud of the surface already. 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