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PSA: Watch out for those super hard carpet tack strips from certain manufacturers
I've been noticing a real problem with some of the tack strips coming from big box stores lately. They are made from wood so hard and dense that it destroys your hammer claws when you try to pull them up for a repair. I bent two good framing hammer claws last month on a tear-out job. The strips don't hold staples well either, which causes buckling later. It's worth paying a bit more for quality strips from a real flooring supplier. Your tools and your finished job will thank you. It saves a ton of frustration in the long run.
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miles_mitchell7mo ago
Another point is how these hard strips can wreck your subfloor when you pry them up. The wood doesn't give, so it tears out chunks of plywood or concrete board instead. I've seen jobs where the repair cost doubled because of the floor damage. It turns a simple strip replacement into a full patch job.
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hunt.quinn7mo ago
From my experience, @miles_mitchell, careful prying with a flat bar and a putty knife can save the subfloor. It's all about taking your time and not forcing things. I've pulled up plenty of those strips without tearing out chunks. The key is to loosen the adhesive first with a heat gun or solvent. So while damage can happen, it's not always a given with the right approach.
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sanchez.kevin7mo ago
Wait, @miles_mitchell, concrete board is for tile backing, not subfloor, so prying probably damages plywood.
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