Broken staple always irritates deck owners. These partly plucked staples can also injure our feet while walking barefoot on the floor. Nothing is more frustrating and time-consuming than removing staples from hardwood floors. The task becomes even more daunting if most of the staples are broken. Therefore, many homeowners want to know how they can quickly remove broken staples from hardwood floors without damaging the finish.
Pliers and flathead screwdrivers can remove staples from hardwood floors without finishing. However, considering the damage they can cause, you must buy a staple remover. One of the best and easiest ways to remove broken staples from hardwood floors is by using a Staple Remover. A staple remover is a convenient tool for pulling out staples left behind on hardwood floors after removing the carpet.
Many people often need to correct the mistake of using regular pliers in the wrong way to get the staples out after removing the carpet. There have even been instances where some homeowners ended up scaring or damaging their hardwood floors with pliers or other tools. So, In this article, youโll learn how to remove broken staples from hardwood floors with great ease.
How To Remove Broken Staples From Hardwood Floors:
There are two ways to remove staples from hardwood floors. You can use traditional tools like pliers and pluck them out of the floor. Moreover,ย you can use a modern staple remover and get them out without any hassle and floor damage. So, letโs have a look at each method in detail.
Traditional Method To Remove Staples From Hardwood Floors.
The most common method of removing broken staples is to use simple tools. These tools are usually available in every homeโs tool kit. These are pliers, flathead screwdrivers, and 6-in-1 painter tools. These tools are easy to use but need careful handling. Otherwise, the pointed edges can scratch your floors. So letโs see how to use them in the right way.
The Catโs Paw And Lumber:
The regular catโs paw is one of the most popular methods for dealing with broken staples from hardwood floors. There are tags fastened on new wood. The catโs paw is a small, occasionally just six-inch-long tool with a pointy, curved end. Usually, the pointy end has a slit that gives it the appearance of a two-pronged fork. Pry out the staple by tapping one or both edges of the spike under it and glide the tool firmly along the floor while holding it at a 45 ยฐ angle. The staples are immediately torn out when the pointy end strikes the tip of the staples.
Angled Pliers:
A versatile instrument called diagonal pliers is frequently used to get rid of individual staples. The curved, razor-sharp claws can be forced to grasp and cling under staples. Thanks to the bent end, the staple can be raised and removed with the necessary force. Itโs crucial to use diagonal pliers gently, sometimes referred to as side cutters.
Also Read: Can You Use Old English on Wood Floors?
Shovels And Subfloors:
After removing the old carpet, flooring professionals donโt use a catโs paw to clip out staples since there are too many. Instead, theyโve devised a clever, effective method that uses a shovel or long-handled floor scraper to loosen them.
Standard Pliers
When there is a good staple is out of the floor for a decent grip. Additionally, they have a round snout that acts as a prying pressure. Small, delicate staples work best with needle-nose pliers. The sharp tips are used to grab even the smallest staples for a rapid jerk.
Benefits And Drawbacks Of The Traditional Approach:
Pros:
- Itโs a good, easy, and effective strategy for this challenging DIY project.
- You already have the necessary tools in your toolbox because they are simple ones.
Cons:
- The conventional approach is slow, tiresome work. While certain carpet staples can be removed without much effort, many others must be twisted and pulled out with pliers.
- This technique is complex on your hands (expect sore wrists and blisters on your fingers).
- Using these tools can harm hardwood as you may scrape the finish on the wood by angling a flathead or painterโs tool under a staple.
Also Read: Does Engineered Wood Flooring Scratch Easily?
Modern Tool To Remove Staples From Hardwood Floors:
The traditional method is effective yet tiresome. Moreover, itโs only suitable for plywood without finish or carpet. If you have a hardwood floor with the carpet padding, you must use a staple remover to break off the broken staples. Itโs a simple tool readily available on amazon to do the task. You just need to press the handle on the staple, and it will easily pop the broken staple out. This method is less tiring and quick, yet your palms may become sour as it does not require vigorous twisting.
Why Do I Recommend Staple Remover
- A staple remover will save you a lot of headaches- it makes the job much easier and less time-consuming.
- It makes it extremely easy to remove those hard-to-remove broken staples extremely easy compared to using pliers only.
- The tool removers the staples gently and carefully without running your hardwood floors.
- It usually has a distinct contoured shape that fits perfectly in your hand for comfortable use.
- It features a spring-loaded lever handle that expertly pulls out all the heavy-duty staples, even those that are broken.
- It has a sturdy base that ensures excellent stability for ease of use. It also makes it suitable for tacking big staple removing jobs.
- You can use it to remove staples practically anywhere- from hardwood floors to documents.
How To Use Staple Remover: (Step-By-Step Guide)
Removing carpet staples from hardwood floors is easy- mainly when using a heavy-duty staple remover. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do it hassle-free;
- Remove the carpet and then gently rip off the carpet padding to reveal the staples used to keep the padding in place on your hardwood floors
- With the staples now visible, use the Swingline Heavy Duty Staple Remover to remove them. Be sure to check out for broken staples because if they are not properly removed, they can cause some severe injuries when stepped on
- Once youโre done removing all the staples, sweep or vacuum the hardwood floors and clean them with a good hardwood floor cleaner to remove stains and other ingrained dirt.
How To Remove Broken Staples From Hardwood Floors- Bottom Line:
Removing broken staples from hardwood floors can be daunting and time-consuming. However, you can get the job done quickly and easily with the right tools.
One of the best ways to easily and quickly remove broken carpet padding staples from hardwood floors is by using a heavy-duty staple remover. Itโs easy to use, cheap, and gets the job done right. Hopefully, youโve learned how to remove broken staples from hardwood floors.
Also Read: Are WaterHog Mats Safe for Hardwood Floors?
