Laminate Flooring Removal - The Easy Way

Easy, Very Easy. Did I Say Easy? Simple

Nearly all laminate flooring has been installed by the floating method with the exception of Wilsonart that had a direct glue type installation in the late 90’s. Up until 2002 or so most were glued by the tongue and groove. This has very little effect on removing.

How To

Once the baseboard, shoe molding or quarter round is removed it can be as simple as cutting open a hole along a wall line. Let’s say we have a large area and the wall line extends 20 feet. Simply use a circular saw with the cutting blade set a tad (1/8”) deeper than the thickness of the flooring and rip a two foot section away from the wall line. That’s almost the hardest part of the job.

Once this section is removed it can almost be folded together. By picking up one end, the overall weight of the rest will sometimes break in two. If not, all you need is someone standing on the large portion (and you lifting at the same time) about six feet away and snap, it’s broken in two. The rest of the floor can be lifted with the same procedure; having someone heavy enough on the other end.

Careful. Not Too Fast!

Once you find it’s as simple as walking the dog…almost, it will be critical to slow down when you get near door openings or around the casings themselves. This can also apply to kitchen cabinetry and walls. Essentially you don’t want to damage the areas. I got carried away my first time and dinged up the bottom side of a door casing. Remember, you may be installing another floor and having to repair your mistakes can be avoided.

Can I Save The Underlayment?

If you’re considering installing another floating floor, it’s wise to check with the individual manufacturers specifications. Some can be quite anal about using their own proprietary products that can void a warranty. If there are no specifications and the existing underlayment is sound, intact, and functioning it can be used providing it was installed correctly. Check for torn seams or the film underlayment if the sub floor is concrete.

If the older laminate floor had that click clack sound when walking over you may want to consider an upgraded underlayment that reduces the sound. Were there any spongy spots with the older floor? Likely that the sub floor was not flat enough. The best procedure is removing the underlayment and check for flatness. Perhaps the older floor was installed during the hey days of the latest building boom. Some retailers had no choice but sending out installers that really did not have the proper qualifications to install the floor and could have ignored the most important part of any hardwood or laminate job; proper floor preparation.

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Other Notes:

For thicker laminate flooring or ones greater than the standard 5/16” thickness removal may not be as simple. In this case cutting the floor into manageable sections so they can be carried easily from the premises may be needed.

Related Pages:

• Floor Preparation
• Other Hardwood Repairs
• Dust Control
• Circular Saws