What is the best way to remove glued down carpet tack strips from a concrete floor?

Question

My carpet was laid on concrete and attached by thin wooden tack strips that were glued to the floor... it there an easy way to remove these strips... I have used a chisel, but it is taking forever.

thanks

Answer 1

Get a flat shovel and shovel away...thats what I use./

Answer 2

if you have a way to deal with the fumes, lacquer thinner will soften the glue. just take a gallon can and poke a hole in the top at one of the corners with a nail or ice pick. this will allow you to apply a precise stream right at the base of the wood strip. allow to soak in for 10 mins or so and it should soften up enough to pull it up by hand. if not, re apply and go heavier with the liquid and try again.

ps. you can use a heat gun, to burn the wall you would have to sit in one spot for a long time with out moving the heat source, and if you go that slow you will never get done. have someone else hold the heat gun while you pry. point the heat gun straight down to the floor, rather than towards the wall. gluing tack strips down is acceptable. no holes to fix in the concrete afterwards, and on older homes the concrete is so hard and brittle that nails wont hold anyway, they just break the concrete when you try to drive them in.

the lacquer thinner can also be used to remove the residue from the floor after the strips are removed. just be sure to wear rubber gloves, the stuff is nasty on the hands.

Answer 3

The chisel is the most precise way to get this up from the floor -- and Yes, I know of all the ways that Carpet Tack Strips can be put down wrong -- because I am removing the wall-to-wall carept in myself too (it was laid on the concrete subfloor), and between the air gunned tacking down and glue in spots I've had a long time to remove this mess.

PS -- I do NOT recommend the Heat Gun -- too close to the walls and Heat WILL cause problems that you need to avoid (like burning the covering of drywall to begin with!)

Answer 4

Carpet Tack Strip

Answer 5

Carpet Strips

Answer 6

Yes, Dremel rotary tools are great for cutting, but the "hardened" concrete nails may wear out more cutting disks than you care to buy; try a few nails to see how it goes. Try the shovel idea, and see what works best for you. A very conscientious carpet layer in my area swears that polyurethane glue is much better for gluing to concrete than regular construction adhesives such as Liquid Nails. And yes, pulling the nails will most always open up a crater when excess concrete comes up with the nail.

Answer 7

More than likely what they used is called CX-948. It is used by most installers when they don't want to try driving the nails into concrete, Once it is set not much will get it up. I have found in my experience you can try these product (XYLENE or CX Poly adhesive and sealant remover) You will have to go to a floorcovering supply store to get them though. It is still a time consuming process. Good luck.

Answer 8

you can either rent a heat gun from your local rental tool company and heat them and remove them very easily, or you can use a hairdryer...hair dryer takes longer to heat the glue and make it pliable again, but it works...if there is nothing to be harmed by chemicals, use an adhesive remover poured around the base of the strips

Answer 9

get a paint stripper and a box of cheap roll towels and wipe until the concrete is clean

Answer 10

You might can try Kuzit, I think that is the name of it. You can buy it from Home Depot or Lowes hardware in the paint section.

Answer 11

Interesting topic!