How do I remove a wood laminate floor? I am not a handy man, but will be recruiting people that...
I am not a handy man, but will be recruiting people that are. Nonetheless, I would resembling to know the best method to use as well as any tools or supplies that I will need.
The flooring is within the basement, and we are removing it to put in carpeting.
Thanks!
Answers: hi, first we will requirement to clarify what is actually on the floor. you say "wood laminate" do you be going to laminate? or do you mean an "engineered wood veneer product"? Example, if it is a laminate floor it is likely "floating" or not secured to the concrete, whereas if it is wood veneer and elder than about 2 yrs old it is possible glued down to the concrete. As you can see these answers can differ greatly...I am going to assume it is laminate as the term wood laminate is one repeatedly used for this product.
first you will want to remove baseboards, this will give you a good starting point. once this is done bear the first board and "tilt" it upward and observe what happens. (the principle is if it is a newer "glueless" floor it may just unsnap and come right up, OH happy daylight!) if it appears that the flooring is glued at the joints you will have need of to basically rip and tear breaking it up as you budge, usually a good prybar, hammer and some elbow grease will catch the job done...once you get going you may know how to pull up large areas and afterwards break it up for disposal. another tip is to have a good portable sabre saw or small handheld circular saw to product short order of cutting up some larger pieces. Again, If this is a laminate floating floor it wil be moderately easy. Briefly if it is wood glued to the concrete it will be much more difficult and you will enjoy to do much prep before you can install carpet, the glue floor wil require much more specific "scraping" up from the floor with large floor scrapers...for more info on this and any other flooring issues pop in http://www.flooringprofessor.com
If it was me...I leave it within the floor. The carpet will have pious insulation from moisture and cold. If u really need to remove it.I would use a hammer, chisel, and a scraper beside a long pole. This will save work on ur back. Good luck. All you should want to do is take off the baseboard trim. The flooring should merely be floating. All you need to do is start lifting from one end and it will break apart.