# Removing nails from a concrete floor
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/removing-nails-from-a-concrete-floor/990600
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion
**Created:** [September 23, 2023, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/removing-nails-from-a-concrete-floor/990600 "2023-09-23T15:27:04Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)
#### Post date: [September 23, 2023, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/removing-nails-from-a-concrete-floor/990600/1 "2023-09-23T15:27:04Z")
We have a finished bedroom in our basement, which I use for my home office. I recently tore out the old and nasty carpet in there and put down an area rug until I can get some laminate flooring put in. The tack strips around the edge of the room were nailed into the concrete floor. When I pulled up the tack strips, a few of the nails came out, taking some chips of concrete along. However, most of the nails stayed put. They are spaced about five or six inches apart all around the perimeter of the room. I’d like to get the rest of the nails out, but I don’t want to leave divots in the concrete.
I figure my options are:
- Just yank them out, you’re going to wind up putting flooring down over the holes anyway
- Yank them out and then fill in the holes with some kind of filler
- Cut them off flush with something like a Dremel tool
- Pound them down with a hammer (just kidding, probably not really a good option)
Any ideas or suggestions? I don’t need an answer fast – the plan is to replace our laminate flooring on the main floor at some point, and then I’ll use what I pull up upstairs to put in the bedroom downstairs.
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### Author:  [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)
#### Post date: [September 23, 2023, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/removing-nails-from-a-concrete-floor/990600/2 "2023-09-23T15:34:25Z")
I would snip them short with a suitable tool and then grind them flat. This leaves steel in the floor that may eventually go rusty, but it is not structural, so that shouldn’t matter.
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### Author:  [@Si\_Amigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Si_Amigo)
#### Post date: [September 23, 2023, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/removing-nails-from-a-concrete-floor/990600/3 "2023-09-23T16:00:20Z")
I had staples all over my concrete basement floor and painstakingly pulled each one out with a pair of pliers. It was hell, but had to be done. I wouldnt worry about filling in the holes. Or better yet, just cutting them off flush as already mentioned.
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### Author:  [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)
#### Post date: [September 23, 2023, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/removing-nails-from-a-concrete-floor/990600/4 "2023-09-23T16:30:36Z")
> [@bob\_2](#):
>
> I would snip them short with a suitable tool and then grind them flat. This leaves steel in the floor that may eventually go rusty, but it is not structural, so that shouldn’t matter.
Best thing to do. Less structural damage than pulling them and leaving wider holes unless you plan to fill the holes with a reinforced epoxy compound intended for that purpose, and entirely unnecessary.
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### Author:  [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)
#### Post date: [September 23, 2023, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/removing-nails-from-a-concrete-floor/990600/5 "2023-09-23T17:19:29Z")
I’d use a cutoff wheel in a small right angle grinder to cut them slightly below the concrete surface. The grinder can nick into the concrete as necessary. Then I’d vacuum clean the hole and put some kind of concrete patcher or self leveling pourable concrete in the holes.
Jeez, though, what a pain! My condolences.
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### Author:  [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)
#### Post date: [September 23, 2023, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/removing-nails-from-a-concrete-floor/990600/6 "2023-09-23T17:38:04Z")
> [@Napier](#):
>
> Jeez, though, what a pain! My condolences.
I guess that the alternative would have been glue. That wouldn’t be easy to remove either, although probably easier than nails.
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### Author:  [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)
#### Post date: [September 23, 2023, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/removing-nails-from-a-concrete-floor/990600/7 "2023-09-23T19:51:03Z")
They could have attached a wooden underlayment to the floor, and then you could treat it like any other floor. But if ceiling height is an issue (being in a basement), that would have taken away probably 3/4" and they probably figured it wasn’t worth it.
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### Author:  [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)
#### Post date: [September 23, 2023, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/removing-nails-from-a-concrete-floor/990600/8 "2023-09-23T20:09:25Z")
I might pull the nails and not worry about the holes.
But concrete patch is so easy to apply. This product cleans up with water. Should take less than a hour to fill the nail holes. Its inside and rain & snow won’t crack the patch.
> **[Quikrete Concrete Patch 1 qt Gray - Ace Hardware](https://www.acehardware.com/departments/building-supplies/concrete-cement-and-masonry/ready-mix-concrete/1372424?x429=true&x429=true&gclsrc=3p.ds&gclsrc=ds&gclsrc=ds&msclkid=dcb63b54fcf21b8f5bd05e5bb9804bae)**
>
> Quikrete Concrete Patching Compound is a ready to use trowel applied acrylic latex formulation for crack and spall repair for concrete, stucco or masonry walls, sidewalks, patios, driveways, etc.Find the CONCRETE PATCH GRY QT at Ace.
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### Author:  [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)
#### Post date: [September 24, 2023, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/removing-nails-from-a-concrete-floor/990600/9 "2023-09-24T01:44:06Z")
Pull the nails and don’t worry about it. Patch it if you want.
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### Author:  [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)
#### Post date: [September 24, 2023, 6:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/removing-nails-from-a-concrete-floor/990600/10 "2023-09-24T06:08:48Z")
> [@aceplace57](#):
>
> But concrete patch is so easy to apply. This product cleans up with water. Should take less than a hour to fill the nail holes. Its inside and rain & snow won’t crack the patch.
I used this to patch after pulling up all the nails in my basement concrete floor. It went fast.
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### Author:  [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_T-Bonham.net)
#### Post date: [September 24, 2023, 8:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/removing-nails-from-a-concrete-floor/990600/11 "2023-09-24T08:36:03Z")
I would pull the nails. Use a short crowbar/nail puller to keep concrete divots to a minimum. Then patch the holes. Except you can skip that if you will eventually be using glue to install the laminate flooring – the glue will fill the holes (though it may be more expensive than concrete patcher.
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### Author:  [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)
#### Post date: [September 24, 2023, 12:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/removing-nails-from-a-concrete-floor/990600/12 "2023-09-24T12:36:22Z")
OK, so I went to the hardware store yesterday and found something called “end cutting pliers” which is a pliers with a sort of pincers-shaped end. I brought them home and tried to cut off one of the nails more or less flush with the floor, but no dice. I could barely make a dent. (Instead of an 8" pliers, I probably needed something with longer handles about the size of a tree pruner for more leverage.)
So it looks like I’ll go with the general consensus here and just pull the nails out, then decide later if I want to patch the holes or just leave them.
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### Author:  [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)
#### Post date: [September 24, 2023, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/removing-nails-from-a-concrete-floor/990600/13 "2023-09-24T13:53:14Z")
> [@Shoeless](#):
>
> OK, so I went to the hardware store yesterday and found something called “end cutting pliers” which is a pliers with a sort of pincers-shaped end.
The cutters sound like Dikes. Donno. Never heard of “end cutting pliers” Those nails are hardened so they can be shot into concrete. You are not going to cut them easily.
Carpet tacking strips are along the wall. Closer to the wall than any walking pattern, or foot of furniture. Patch them if convenient. Peace of mind. Just get a crow bar. Wear eye protection (they may ‘pop’ out). I just do sunglasses.
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### Author:  [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)
#### Post date: [September 24, 2023, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/removing-nails-from-a-concrete-floor/990600/14 "2023-09-24T14:02:34Z")
This is what I bought.
> **[Ace 8 in. Alloy Steel End Cutting Pliers - Ace Hardware](https://www.acehardware.com/departments/tools/hand-tools/solid-joint-pliers/2065738)**
>
> Precision heat treated, forged alloy steel for strength and durability.Find the END CUTTING PLIER STL 8 at Ace.
It says on the back of the card “induction hardened cutting edges for fast clean cuts - trim, wire, **small nails** , plastic, etc.” So I thought I’d give them a shot. Worst case, at least I have a new tool to throw in my toolbox. But yeah, I spent about five minutes trying to clip through one of those nails, but barely made a scratch. So, crowbar it is.
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### Author:  [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)
#### Post date: [September 24, 2023, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/removing-nails-from-a-concrete-floor/990600/15 "2023-09-24T14:12:55Z")
Oh, Ok. Not a bad choice. But those nails are not going to give in. You may be able to grab the nail head with those from above, and walk it out. Lever it back and forth. You could also use a flat bar under one of the jaws of the pliers to help with leverage. But it’s still gonna pull some concrete with it.
[Flat bar, also known as a wonder bar.](https://www.amazon.com/STEELHEAD-Heavy-Duty-Ultra-Durable-Heat-Treated-SH-PB-B1-15-1/dp/B07TSG977Y/ref=asc_df_B07TSG977Y/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=416868252671&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=4552553927471699672&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9028776&hvtargid=pla-903850609346&psc=1&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=90730998661&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=416868252671&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=4552553927471699672&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9028776&hvtargid=pla-903850609346)
You could use the Flat bar as additional leverage, or as the crowbar itself.
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### Author:  [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)
#### Post date: [September 24, 2023, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/removing-nails-from-a-concrete-floor/990600/16 "2023-09-24T14:47:02Z")
Yep, that’s actually what I used to pull up the tack strips, and what I plan to use to “crowbar” the nails out.
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### Author:  [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)
#### Post date: [September 25, 2023, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/removing-nails-from-a-concrete-floor/990600/17 "2023-09-25T15:24:43Z")
I recently went through this endeavor. I used a large set of channel locks to grab the nail head and and rolled the pliers to pop out the nails. Very quick. About half left a divot but that didn’t matter since I put down LVP and those small divots don’t make a difference on a floating floor. I used a shop vac to clean up.
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### Author:  [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)
#### Post date: [September 25, 2023, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/removing-nails-from-a-concrete-floor/990600/18 "2023-09-25T16:15:24Z")
> [@wguy123](#):
>
> I recently went through this endeavor. I used a large set of channel locks to grab the nail head and and rolled the pliers to pop out the nails. Very quick.
Good approach. I also put down a floating floor.
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### Author:  [@vbob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vbob)
#### Post date: [September 25, 2023, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/removing-nails-from-a-concrete-floor/990600/19 "2023-09-25T16:24:53Z")
a) Start with the grinder - those nails are hardened steel, and will destroy any snips.
b) You won’t be able to drive them any deeper, but one good hammer whack down might make them pull back up a little bit easier, or with smaller divots, which will not be deep enough to be a structural issue anyway.
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### Author:  [@FluffyBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FluffyBob)
#### Post date: [September 25, 2023, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/removing-nails-from-a-concrete-floor/990600/20 "2023-09-25T23:32:03Z")
I will second (or third or fourth) using an angle grinder and a cutoff wheel for the quickest clean fix.
The spalling from this is not going to affect laminate or LVP installation, I certainly would not bother with filling.
Be aware when reinstalling laminate or LVP that removal often leaves minor chips and damage to the tongue and groove system and some boards may not click together properly anymore, causing squeaks or loose boards.
‘Smooth edge’ is what the flooring guys call those tack strips.
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