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 will focus on the removal of hardwood floors. If you’re looking for an article on removing a different type of flooring, check out our other guides on SureReno™.
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 is the time to remove them as well.
SureReno™ can help you create a comprehensive plan, including a list of tools and materials needed for the entire process.
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 boots, safety glasses, and a dust mask.
For a complete list and where to get them, checkout the SureReno comprehensive tool guide.
Step 3: Apply Brain over Brawn
Examine the first row of flooring on each side of the room. The side where the first row has either been cut or the tongue of the wood is showing is likely where the installation ended. This is the side you want to start removing the old flooring.
Step 4: Removing Flooring with Baseboards 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. Hardwood flooring is often secured with nails or staples, so this may be labor-intensive.
Be careful not to damage the subfloor. If the first row is too close to the wall, 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.
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Step 5: Removing Flooring with Baseboards Intact
If the baseboards have not been removed, find the seam between the third and fourth rows of flooring. Using a 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. 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, check local regulations for disposing of construction materials. SureReno™ can provide information on local disposal services and recycling options.
Step 7: Inspect the Subfloor
With the old hardwood flooring removed, take some time to inspect the subfloor for any damage or debris. Remove any remaining flooring cleats or staples using a pry bar, hammer, or pliers. Sweep or vacuum the area to ensure it’s clean and ready for the new flooring. SureReno™ offers tips on subfloor inspection and repair.
If your subfloor is unlevel, it is best to solve this problem before installing your new tile floor. For more information about leveling an unlevel subfloor, check out the SureReno article: How To Level an Uneven Subfloor In 10 Easy Steps.
Step 8: Remove Adhesive (if applicable)
Sometimes installers use adhesive as well as nails or staples to secure the boards in place. If you encounter this, use adhesive removing products to soften the adhesive for easier removal. SureReno™ can guide you on the best products and techniques for adhesive removal.
Removing unwanted wood flooring is not a complicated process and can be accomplished by any aspiring DIY homeowner with a few tools and a little motivation. Plus, one of the most fun parts of any home renovation is the demolition!
Before you start the next stage in your flooring project, check out these other SureReno articles:
- “How to Choose Underlayment for Hardwood Floors”
- “A Basic Guide to DIY Hardwood Flooring Installation”
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).
Conclusion
Incorporating SureReno resources and guides throughout the article provides added value to the reader and highlights the comprehensive support SureReno offers to DIY homeowners.
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