If you’re remodeling a bathroom or replacing a kitchen backsplash, you know it’s crucial in these moisture-prone zones to avoid putting nicks or holes in the walls lest you end up creating ideal incubators for mildew. So, don’t whack away at unwanted ceramic tiles with a hammer and crowbar. Instead, enlist your Trim Puller to lift off tiles while keeping walls damage-free.
7 Clever Alternative Uses for Your Trim Puller
Construction pros and savvy do-it-yourselfers who have purchased a Trim Puller for a demo job know how quickly, cleanly, and efficiently it removes and salvages trim while keeping walls flawless. But don’t be fooled by the name of this ingeniously designed hand tool: It’s good for a lot more than taking off trim. Don't let it languish idly in your workshop! Make the most of this innovative, under-$30 implement by using it for all kinds of home improvement projects. There's no need to worry about wearing out your Trim Puller with all the hard work. Manufactured of heat-treated carbon steel with an impact-absorbing EPDM comfort-grip handle, this sturdy little beauty is built to last. The Trim Puller is one tool that can more than pull its weight!
This post has been brought to you by Zenith Industries. Its facts and opinions are those of BobVila.com.
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Get Tough on Tiles, Not Walls
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Make Siding Removal Simpler
Vinyl siding is one tough material, and it's exactly that durability that makes it so popular. But when it’s time to deep-six your siding, you’ll want a Trim Puller handy. After unlocking panels with a zip tool, slide the Trim Puller between the siding and the wall, then apply the necessary pressure to ease the siding away from the nails holding it in place.
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Focus on Flooring
If you’ve got a few worn sections of hardwood floor that need replacement, employ the Trim Puller to lift up the damaged pieces without marring adjacent planks, resulting in a fairly seamless blend of your original and replacement flooring. What’s more, using a hammer to drive the Trim Puller between planks and concrete won’t harm the subfloor either.
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Make Carpet Magically Disappear
Old or merely oddly situated carpeting (such as in a damp bathroom) can be enough to make any homeowner cringe, but hastily tearing away the tack strip and edging with a crowbar is bound to damage the floor below. The Trim Puller does the job while sparing the concrete, thanks to a business end that's wider, larger, and flatter than what you'll find on alternative tools, ultimately saving you time-consuming and costly repair to the subfloor.
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Detatch Decorative Panels
Want to remove decorative architectural details without ruining your walls, and maybe even salvage the pieces for placement elsewhere? The Trim Puller's careful leverage can help make it happen. First, use a utility knife to score the seam where the panel meets the wall or door. Then, drive the Trim Puller between the panel and the surface. Work your way along at about 12-inch intervals until the panel has separated from the surface, then gently pry it away.
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Take Off Countertops
When your kitchen needs a refresh, rely on the Trim Puller to separate a countertop—whether glued or nailed—from the base cabinet. Just drive the tool between the countertop and the base, and hit the tool with a hammer; the Trim Puller’s center wedge will begin to separate the two. Twist the Trim Puller to create more separation, then move along in 12-inch increments until the entire countertop is loose enough for easy removal.
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Shim Cabinets More Easily
Getting a row of base kitchen cabinets level is essential for proper countertop installation. Depending on variations in the space's subfloor, you may need to resort to shims to level the base units. Here, an assist from the Trim Puller can be invaluable. Place your level on top of the cabinets, and then drive the Trim Puller between the floor and a cabinet bottom. This will cause the cabinet to lift slightly, allowing you to slide thin pieces of wood underneath until the cabinet is level. Then, slip out the Trim Puller while leaving the shims in and—presto!—a perfectly leveled cabinet.
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