Rugs, Carpets and Carpeting - How the heck do I get the carpet OUT!

I am installing new flooring in my house, but in order to do that, I need to get rid of the carpet first. I pulled the carpet off easily enough. I even pulled the pad off easily. But how the heck do I get the tack strips off?? They are long strips and nailed every 5" or so along their length. How do you get these off?

Thanks!

If I were doing it I would use a flat pry bar and tap it under the tack strip with a hammer and pry it up. I don,t think the nails will be more than an inch long.

That is how it's done. Use the bar suggested and pop the stuff up. If it's on a wood floor, the nails that came in the strip will be into the wood about a half inch and the extra nails will be a little longer. I've seen instances where the installer used a pneumatic stapler instead of nails and getting those out can be a pain. If it's on a concrete floor, the nails will only be in about a quarter inch, but they tend to take off when you pop them loose so protect your eyes.

It it's a wood subfloor you might use a flat-nose shovel. Could speed it up and have to do a lot less bending over.

The shovel sound like the way to go. Great idea.

Just leaped to mind that it would be a little like removing roofing shingles.