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Carpet removal

Glowpun

Glowpun

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I just had the carpets removed, but found a couple nails or rather parts of staples still sticking out that were missed on the wood floor.
What tool can I use to take out those staple parts? And what tool can I use to remove a finishing nail that was missed?
 
Glowpun said:
I just had the carpets removed, but found a couple nails or rather parts of staples still sticking out that were missed on the wood floor.
What tool can I use to take out those staple parts? And what tool can I use to remove a finishing nail that was missed?
Click to expand...

Pliers don't work?
 
Glowpun said:
I just had the carpets removed, but found a couple nails or rather parts of staples still sticking out that were missed on the wood floor.
What tool can I use to take out those staple parts? And what tool can I use to remove a finishing nail that was missed?
Click to expand...

Pliers for the staple, and a nail set (punch) to drive the finishing nail down deep into the wood, although what works best and leaves a smaller hole than a set, is another finishing nail of about the same size that you can hold with pliers to keep it still (and keep from hammering your fingers) and then pull back out with pliers when you're done. If you can't get under the wood to where the tip of the nail is exposed so you can hammer the nail back up and out of the wood, the way to cause the least damage to the wood is to drive the nail down deep. Deep enough to not be hit by the sander when you refinish the floors.
 
Glowpun said:
I just had the carpets removed, but found a couple nails or rather parts of staples still sticking out that were missed on the wood floor.
What tool can I use to take out those staple parts? And what tool can I use to remove a finishing nail that was missed?
Click to expand...

Is the wood floor a finished hardwood, or just the plywood sub-floor?

Vice-grips are wonderful tools. Allows you to really get a tight, locking grip on the staple.
 
Glowpun said:
I just had the carpets removed, but found a couple nails or rather parts of staples still sticking out that were missed on the wood floor.
What tool can I use to take out those staple parts? And what tool can I use to remove a finishing nail that was missed?
Click to expand...

Nipper pliers, nail set(s) and a hammer will do the job nicely. Nippers take a bit of getting used to, use just enough grip pressure to grab the fastener (too much grip pressure will cut it off) and gently roll (pry?) the fastener out. If you do end up cutting it off, or if it too short to get hold of, then use the nail set and hammer to drive it just below flush. The small dent left can be filled on a finished floor or simply ignored on a subfloor.

View attachment 67194260

image.jpg
 
Regular pliers (or vise grips) might work but require lots of pulling strength and their square jaws usually damage/dent the surrounding area. The correct tool for the job is nipper pliers - their wide smooth and arced head allows you to roll (pry?) the fastener out without damaging the surrounding wood. The "trick" is to apply only enough grip pressure to grab the fastener since too much grip pressure will cut it off.

They are also great for removing nails from wood trim that was removed (pried off) and will be reused. For that chore pull the finishing nails out from the back side leaving the finished surface (usually) intact.

image.jpg
 
what works for me is a wonder bar to grab the nail head and a block of waste wood to place under the bar to avoid damaging the floor
wonder bar.jpg
 
ttwtt78640 said:
Regular pliers (or vise grips) might work but require lots of pulling strength and their square jaws usually damage/dent the surrounding area. The correct tool for the job is nipper pliers - their wide smooth and arced head allows you to roll (pry?) the fastener out without damaging the surrounding wood. The "trick" is to apply only enough grip pressure to grab the fastener since too much grip pressure will cut it off.
Click to expand...

So if I need to "roll" around the rounded edge of the vice grips to pull staple, I simply slide a paint stirring stick under the vice grips as a shim to protect floor.

That way I don't risk cutting through staple/nail and I don't mark the floor or trim.
 
Dragonfly said:
Is the wood floor a finished hardwood, or just the plywood sub-floor?

Vice-grips are wonderful tools. Allows you to really get a tight, locking grip on the staple.
Click to expand...

Make sure to protest the floor, if necessary, just in case of slippage and whatnot.
 
Go ahead, remove that carpet, but leave a landing strip. :mrgreen:
 
I'd go with a D-9. Get one with a big, hardened ripper on the back.
 
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