Easy Steps to Remove Old Hardwood Flooring by SureReno
Installing new flooring is a perfect way to refresh and revitalize your home. But before any new flooring can be installed, you must first tackle the task of removing that old, unwanted flooring. This article’s focus is on helping you remove old hardwood flooring, however if you are looking for an article on removing a different type of flooring
Table of Contents
Step 1: Prepare the Area
Before you start, clear out the room as much as possible. Remove furniture, rugs, and any other obstacles that might get in the way of your work. If you are planning on installing new baseboards and trim, now would be the time to remove this as well.
Step 2: Gather Your Tools
You’ll need a few tools to make the job easier. These include a pry bar, hammer, utility knife, trash can, gloves, safety glasses, and a dust mask.
Step 3: Apply Brain over Brawn
If you carefully examine the first row of flooring on each side of the room, the side in which the first row has either been cut or the tongue of the wood is showing, is the side of the room they finished their install. That is the side you want to start removing the old flooring.
Step 4: If the Baseboards have been removed
Use the pry bar to gently lift one edge of the wood flooring. Start at one side of the room and begin prying the first row out. Continue row by row, working your way across the room, lifting one piece at a time. Keep in mind, this may be more labour intensive than expected since the hardwood flooring is often secured with nails or staples.
So, take your time, and take breaks. Be careful not to damage the subfloor underneath as you remove the flooring. The first few rows along the wall were most likely fastened using finishing nails rather than flooring cleats or staples so they should be easier to remove.
If the first row is too close to the wall to get a pry bar under the flooring without damaging the drywall, try screwing wood screws partially into the flooring along the wall of the first board and then use the claw end of a hammer or crowbar to pry the boards up.
Get exactly what you need
Step 5: If the Baseboards have not been removed
You will not be able to pry up the first row of flooring. Find the seam between the third and fourth rows of flooring. Using the chisel and hammer move along the seam breaking off the tongue of the hardwood the full length of the room. Once done, use the pry bar to lift one of the boards along that seam.
You may need to do significant damage to the board to get it out. Again, try not to damage the wall, baseboards, or sub-floor during this process. Once one row is lifted, the other rows should come out much easier.
Step 6: Dispose of the Old Flooring
As you remove the planks, stack them neatly outside the room for disposal. Depending on where you live, you may need to check local regulations for disposing of construction materials.
Step 7: Inspect the Sub-floor
With the old hardwood flooring removed, take some time to inspect the subfloor for any damage or debris. Many of the flooring cleats or staples from the old floor may not have come out with the boards. These will need to be removed using a pry bar, hammer or plyers. When all cleats or staples have been removed, sweep or vacuum the area to ensure it’s clean and ready for the new flooring.
Step 8: Is there adhesive?
Sometimes when installing wood flooring, installers may use adhesive as well as nails or staples to secure the boards in place. If you encounter this, unfortunately good old elbow grease is going to be required to scrap it off. There are some special adhesive removing products that can be purchased to soften the adhesive for easier removal.
Removing unwanted wood flooring of any type is not a complicated process and can be accomplished by any aspiring DIY homeowner with nothing more than a few tools and a little motivation. Besides, one of the most fun parts of any home renovation is the demolition!
Before you start the next stage in your hardwood flooring project, take the time to read SureReno’s articles:
- “How to Choose Underlayment for Hardwood Floors”
- “A Basic Guide to DIY Hardwood Flooring Installation”
Consider also furthering your education on hardwood floors in order to ensure you have the right product for your project, here are some links to external resources that will help you in that process, they are part of some of our other articles (Selecting the right hardwood floors and Hardwood floor maintenance):
- For information on hardness and durability (Janka Hardness Test) follow this link
- Also good resource is the Homeowner’s Handbook to Real Wood Floors from the NWFA (National Wood Flooring Association).
Share this article:
