Flippin nail won't budge

P

Percy

Registered User
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Lads we recently removed skirting boards from our bathroom in order to get floor tiled. Now it's time to put the skirting back on but there's this one nail that's stuck in the cavity block on the wall between us and the next house. It's jutting out so that we can't put back on the skirting boards. We've tried to get it out with the hammer, a pliers, a combination of the end of a crowbar and a hammer to get some leverage going and it won't budge!! Had to give up after trying this leverage method we cracked one of our new floor tiles!! The nail is right down close to the floor and in just behind where our new bathroom sink is going. Any ideas how to get it out?? Should we just get a saw and saw the top of it off?
 
Probably simplest to saw the head off at this point but if you are determined to get it out you could try using a vice grips to get really strong grip on it and use a claw hammer/ crowbar under that.
 
Percy said:
this one nail that's stuck in the cavity block on the wall
Click to expand...

Hi Percy,
I assume this nail is a masonry nail if so the only solution I've found is to put on safety glasses and bang the nail side-ways till it breaks.

Do not forget to put safety glasses on because the nail really flies about
 
S.L.F said:
Hi Percy,
I assume this nail is a masonry nail if so the only solution I've found is to put on safety glasses and bang the nail side-ways till it breaks.

Do not forget to put safety glasses on because the nail really flies about
Click to expand...

+1

I've found this is the only way, especially if the hardened nail is in a tight spot and hard to get leverage on it. Masonry nails can be very dangerous, I know of a lad who seriously damaged his eye recently when driving a simple pipe clip into concrete, so do wear the googles. Use a regular "lump" hammer too, it has an unhardened head and gives the required force!
 
There is one other thing you could do.

If you grab the nail with a vice grip and then hit the vice grip you could dislodge the nail from the wall without the mad danger of flying bits of metal.



Hopefully!!!
 
" Not everyone has a 4" angle grinder. "

True, but that was not the question. The question was how to remove it. You can borrow/rent a 'baby' grinder or even buy one very cheaply as well.

J
 
Hello

Had the same problem myself some time ago. Masonary nail used to secure old skirting board to wall covered with plasterboard close to radiator. There was very little leveage for claw hammer. My attempts further damaged plasterboard. Resorted to small angle grinder. Did the job in 30 seconds. I have seen them on sale for less than €20. Very good investment.

SM
 
Thanks guys for all your replies. I've made a pigs ear of it to date between damaging the plasterboard further on the adjacent wall, and cracking me new floor tile so because there's so little space to move it about I'm thinking maybe a cheapie angle grinder might be the job. Thanks again!
 
PS Square Mile are we talking Atlantic Homecare or B&Q kind of place to get those small angle grinders?
 
Try hammering the nail in a bit - a bang with a hammer. Sometimes this is enough to 'shock' them loose. Mind you, the last time I did this, a big lump of plaster came away aswell, so be warned.

If you're using a prybar, put a piece of wood behind it to protect the rest of plaster.

Goggles are a great idea as they can fairly ping out!
 
A 9" grinder would do the job too, in case you know somebody with one of them.
 
I think Blackspur is the cheap and cheerful brand name in Atlantic. I got one years ago, have used it many times, and wouldn't be without one in the tool shed! Alternatively, just borrow one from someone.
 
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