The Dos and Don'ts of Removing Nails With a Hammer

Nails often require removal. Maybe you're demolishing a wall, or perhaps you're building a deck. Regardless, you may need to remove some of the existing nails. The claw side of a hammer offers a simple and effective solution. You can use the claw side to remove nails. To prevent injury, though, you should follow these safety dos and don'ts when removing mails with a hammer.

Do Wear Gloves

Whether you driving nails into a surface or removing them, you should always wear gloves. Nails are typically used in fastening applications that involve wood. Wood, of course, can splinter. Wearing gloves will protect your hands from wooden splinters.

Don't Pull Vertically

A common mistake workers make when removing nails with a hammer is pulling vertically. In other words, they position the nail between the hammer's claw teeth, after which they pull it directly upwards. The problem with pulling vertically is that it stresses the hammer's handle.

Do Pull Sideways

Rather than pulling vertically, pull the nail sideways. You'll still need to position the nail between the hammer's claw teeth. Once positioned, however, you can pull the nail to either the right or left side. Pulling the nail sideways will reduce stress on the hammer's handle. And if the nail happens to pop out with relative ease, it would go to the side.

Don't Overlook Eye Protection

Eye injuries are common among construction and carpentry workers. Research from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that roughly 2,000 workers sustain an eye injury each day. Some of these eye injuries are minor, whereas others are more severe. To protect against eye injuries, always wear eye protection when removing nails.

Do Rock When Pulling

Try to use a rocking motion when pulling nails. Don't just pull the nail with steady force to the side. The correct way to remove nails is to use a rocking motion. A rocking motion means tilting the hammer backwards and forwards. With this rocking motion, the nail should loosen and eventually come out.

Don't Reuse Nails

While it may sound harmless, you shouldn't reuse nails after removing them. Once a nail has been removed, it's generally best to discard it. Reusing nails could place you at risk for injury. Removing a nail will likely stress it. The nail may become weaker, and assuming you pull it sideways, it will probably be deformed. Therefore, you shouldn't reuse nails. After removing a nail, discard it.