Should I pull nails out of a concrete sub-floor, or file them off?

I'm pulling carpet out of a bathroom in our new house. The wood strip is nailed into the concrete floor, and when I pull it out, it damages the concrete.





Is it better to keep pulling the nails out, and patch the floor, or should I file them down, and leave them in?Should I pull nails out of a concrete sub-floor, or file them off?
Just pull them out. When we have had flooring replaced, both with ceramic tile and more carpet, the professionals just acted like nothing was wrong with the base floor. And since it has been at least 10 years and nothing bad has happened, they must have been right. However if you are just going to replace it with stick on tiles as a temporary fix, it might be a good idea to smooth out the floor before laying the new.Should I pull nails out of a concrete sub-floor, or file them off?
i do home repairs of all kinds. honestly you should pull them out. why you ask. over time some of them may come up on their own. if you notice when you pull them out they come up pretty easily. there is floor leveling that you can fill the holes with if you are that particular. if you are putting tiles down there really is no need to use leveling. the thin set will fill the holes as you go. if you are putting in linoleum yes fill the holes. if you are putting in floating floors i would not worry about filling the holes. the little holes will not be a problem at all your concrete floor is fine without worrying if it will damage anything pulling out the tack strip nails. good luck.
Have had similar situation , older house on slab.


Ripping %26amp; patching is probably faster way to go.


Many nails were rusted in %26amp; just snapped off.


Had to do some patching anyhow.


Im thinking that a small clean patch is better than having something in the floor that will rust.