So, after pulling up the 30+ year-old wall-to-wall carpet in our soon-to-be living room, I see that the baseboards are lined with nailstrips. These nailstrips appear to be glued on to linoleum. I’d like to pull the nailstrips up and have the floors be left semi-decent, although I’m betting some damage is inevitable.
What’s the best way to remove these things? Would a claw hammer be enough, or do I have to get a chisel or something? Is there a custom tool for the job? Any good ways to deal with glue residue? Thanks in advance for any advice.
I’d go with a putty knife, slide it under the nail strip to release the glue.
They also make prybars with thin wide blades that would give you more leverage than a putty knife.
I used a prybar with the thinner blades than a claw hammer to pull mine up last time I did that. Be prepared - some come up with a gentle tug, some I ripped the metal strip away from the nail and then practically had to grind off the nail head.
a flat bar tapped under with a hammer will pry up the tack strip.
heat from a hot air gun will soften the glue and you can lift off with a stiff paint scraper (looks like a putty knife but stiffer).