Podcast: What to Do About Carpet Tack Holes on Concrete Floors

You’re listening to Direct Colors podcast Episode 10: What to Do About Carpet Tack Holes on Concrete Floors. If this is your first time listening, then thanks for joining us.  We often receive questions about how to fix or hide carpet tack holes on concrete floors. Even with the greatest care, it’s difficult to avoid some damage when removing carpet tack strips from the concrete. Fear not! Direct Colors has a solution that will repair carpet tack holes and actually improve the final floor finish. We sat down with Direct Colors General Manager, Shawna Turner, to find out how to resolve this common decorative concrete problem.

TRANSCRIPT:

AN:  I’m Amie Nolen and today we’re talking with Direct Colors General Manager, Shawna Turner about what to do about carpet tack holes on concrete floors.

We often receive questions abut carpet tack holes from homeowners remodeling basements and indoor floors. Most carpets are stretched and attached to wooden strips and nailed into the concrete along the perimeter of the floor. When the boards are removed, even the most careful person tends to leave unsightly holes and chips in the concrete. The question is what can be done to fill the holes and still have an attractive decorative concrete floor.

Thanks for coming by today, Shawna.

Shawna Turner: My pleasure.

AN:  So here’s a question from a customer about a recent project they were working on:

“I want to acid stain the floors in my house. What can I do to hide the holes around the perimeter of my rooms after the carpet has been removed?”

Shawna Turner: Well, that does get to the heart of the matter to be sure. Covering carpet tack holes can be difficult. Acid stain will react differently to the patching material than the actual slab itself which in most cases highlights the patch more than the floor. If you can’t live with the holes, consider applying a thin layer of DCI Concrete Overlay in the form of a border around the room. The concrete overlay borders will cover the tack holes while producing an attractive outline for your floor. Even when using the same color of acid stain, a variation in color will occur. Sometimes additional damage can occur when pulling the tack strips so if you have deeper holes bigger than a dime to a quarter in size, consider applying DCI Concrete Patching Compound first and sanding flush with the floor before applying the overlay. A border does involve extra work but the finished product is outstanding.

AN: How exactly do you use the overlay product?

Shawna Turner: To create a border, I would carefully measure out a straight line around the perimeter of the room and apply Frog Tape brand masking tape. Once you’ve completed that, you’re ready to mix the overlay. Our concrete overlay is an add water only mix and should be mixed in a 5 gallon plastic bucket using a birdcage paddle and a drill motor. Mix only what you can actually apply in about 50 minutes. If you don’t need an entire 50 lb. box, adjust the amount of water added and mix. Apply the overlay with a pool or square ended trowel at a depth of about a 1/8” inch. Using a magic trowel, pull the overlay smooth towards the tape edge. Once you’ve completed each section, remove the tape and allow to dry. The overlay will need about 12 hours to fully cure before acid staining. We have complete mixing and application instructions on our website, directcolors.com.

AN: Could a customer use a different color on the overlay if they wished?

Shawna Turner: Sure. You could even add concrete pigment to the overlay before applying if a solid color was preferred. If you decide to acid stain using a different color, you might give the Deco Gel a try. Because it’s an acid stain gel, it’s less likely to run once applied. You’d definitely want to use a foam brush rather than a sprayer to avoid messy overspray.

AN: That sounds great! Can this technique be used in any room in the house?

Shawna Turner: Absolutely. I think the border effect is more apparent in larger rooms like the living room or bedrooms but certainly, it can be successfully applied anywhere in a home or business.

AN: Thank you, Shawna. Seems like a practical solution to a common concrete flooring problem. If you have questions, call one of our expert technicians at 877-255-2656 and we’ll help you select the best products and technique for your needs.  If you prefer email, send in a free online design consultation and we’ll get back to you within 24-48 hours.

Direct Colors DIY Home Improvement podcasts are produced twice monthly for your enjoyment and show notes can be found at directcolors.com/listen.  Feel free to add the podcast to your favorite RSS feed.  You can also follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Google+ , YouTube and Instagram. Thanks again for joining us!