Rugs, Carpets and Carpeting - tackless strip installation

How do they apply those tackless strips along the edge when they are using nails and the carpet is going over concrete. Do they use a powder actuated nailer or something, Do they pre-drill the holes. I talked to a gye and he said that they just hit the nails but I tried that and the nails weren't penetrating into the concrete at all (perhaps special nails use). Thanks for clearing this up for me. :)

It take years of practice to nail into concrete and make it stick, without busting pocks out.

Cut the tack strips into foot long pieces or shorter to make it around the entire perimeter. Clean and scrape all paint from the concrete around the perimeter where the tackstrips will be placed. Liquid nails(urethane) the pieces down and let them sit for 24 hours.

Or you can hammer drill the concrete and use ½" plastic wall anchors, and roofing nails.

Hey Perry,

New member here.

I'm not trying to nitpick, just to understand. Why should I cut the tackstrip into one foot lengths to glue to concrete? Will the adhesive hold the tackstrips without nailing?

I have 4ft lengths of tackstrips for concrete floors and cannot get the nails to penetrate the floor (9years old concrete). I'm not too excited about having to drill the floor to install plugs into which to nail the strips. I plan on doing that for the metal strips under the doors but not for the tackstrips. (unless it's necessary)

This is my first experience with wall-wall carpeting on concrete floors and the last step in my finishing of a basement area in my home.

TIA for all help and information.

I've had to cut them in shorter lengths to prevent them from bowing up while the glue dries. I would lay them flat on the ground in place and cut where it starts to bow up. Then usually both cut peices will lay flat.

Exadtly! They bow up out of the glue or off the concrete if you leave them 4 feet long. ! to 1½ feet sections don't bow as much and don't pull out of the glue.