Tack Strip Hole Solutions

Many home owners are looking to transform their floors from carpet to beautiful decorative concrete. When carpet is removed from the floor and the tack strips are pulled up, it is almost impossible to remove the strips without taking some concrete with it. There are many solutions to these holes that are left behind in the concrete.

Acid Stain With Border
Acid Stain With Border

1. Patch The Holes
– The tack strip holes can be filled in with concrete patch. The only downside to patching is that the stain will react differently to the patched areas and the main concrete slab. The difference in color is because there are two different types of concrete that the stain is reacting with. In order to try and blend in this difference, a border can be cut around the perimeter and a water reducible stain can be applied with special techniques in order to make this patchwork not as noticeable. There is a wide range of color options with water reducible stains that can be added to your border.
2. Molding – Modification to your trim is a great way to make your tack strip holes less noticeable. A trim piece can be placed at an angle along the floor to cover most of your tack strip holes and also close the gap between your previous molding and the concrete surface. This is a relatively cheap solution for your tack strip holes.

Micro finished stained floor
Micro finished stained floor

3. Micro Finish Overlay
– Micro finish overlays can be applied to the concrete surface prior to staining the floors. This is the best option when a completely new surface with less imperfections is the desired finish for the concrete stained floor. This process is the more expensive, but in some cases is necessary in order to achieve the best look on a concrete surface. This flooring system is also used when concrete has “ghosting” marks from previous flooring. Tile, Wood, and some laminate flooring will leaving “ghosting” in your concrete. The only way to prevent these marks from showing in your final product is to use a micro finish system.