The Handyguys address carpet padding removal and dangerous household tools.

Happy 2009!  The Handyguys are back from hiatus and ready to address another year of handyman Handyguy topics. We have new voice-over talent, new music and a new look to the website.   We also have a clean studio (thanks Brian!) and we are ready to go. So pour another single malt and let’s get started.

Listener Questions

question came from David:

I was wondering if you had any advice for removing carpet padding from Hardwood floors. I recently bought a home with carpet over nice oak floors. Pulled up carpet to find green carpet pad had solidified into a rock hard plastic and was fused to the hardwood floor. In some areas where it was more of a dry Styrofoam consistency and was easily scraped up. However, the majority is rock hard, and scraping is not an easy task. Any advice would be helpful. I have scoured the Internet, and most advice I have found has not worked. I think that most advice has been geared toward people who have carpet padding that has turned into a gooey mess. Mine is rock hard. I tried a power sander with 80 grit, and that worked, but at such slow pace that it would take weeks to remove it all.

Handyguys Answer

Why did our parents cover up those beautiful Oak floors anyway? I guess there are benefits to carpet but it sure is nice to see some wood.

Handyguy Brian suggests that David try some power sanders  meant for refinishing floors with various levels of grit. Perhaps a heavy orbital edging sander or a larger drum sander could remove the padding which became attached to the wood flooring. Listen to the Podcast for more details.

Most people have different sorts problems when removing carpet padding. Typically, the the most difficult problems are removing the tack strips and all the staples used to attach the pad to the floor. If you have harder floors such as oak, you can typically remove the protruding staples with pliers or vice grips. If your flooring is pine or some other softer variety, the staples often penetrate the flooring leaving nothing to grab with the pliers. People often try to dig out each staple with a screw driver, but this can take all day, especially if you have hundreds of staples to remove. Listen to the Podcast for a better suggestion by Handyguy Paul.

A Discussion of the Dangers of Everyday Handyguy Tools

Brian and Paul have spilled some blood when working around the house. You might think that they were injured on large and powerful tools like a chainsaw or tablesaw. While these tools are very dangerous, it is sometimes the more common tools around the house that will draw the most blood. Check out this discussion in the podcast and stay safe in your home!

If you have any suggestions of dangerous tools around the house not mentioned in the podcast, please leave a comment.

We will be back next week with another a follow-up to our basement finishing series.

Related shows:

1. Buying Reconditioned Tools
2. Top 10 Essential Tools For DIY And Duct Tape Uses
3. New Innovative Tools