how do i remove an old wood floor that is nailed down (new wood is going down on sub-floor)?

Question

there is linoleum on top of the wood, the room was added onto and we were told the floor is two different types of wood under the linoleum tiles. so we want to rip it up and a put new floor down. is there an easy way to pull out the nails and save the wood (for recycling)? or just completely demo it then pull out the nails?... we are assuming the sub-floor is wood, the house is pier and beam.

Answer 1

useing a crow bar carefully prize between boards and press down on bar as one lifts put a wedge in and move bar further along till reached the end of board useing the same method till all boards lifted. done this myself many a time with good results good luck

Answer 2

It depends on the type of wood used for the flooring. As a wood worker, I would probably salvage the wood if it was anything but particle, plywood or chip board. Just tear up a corner of the linoleum to determine the type of wood underneath. If you want to salvage, then take the linoleum up and use a pry bar to begin pulling up the wooden floor. Try to be gentle and not destroy the lumber. If you don't want the lumber for re-cycling, then cut linoleum into sections and use the prybar to take out sections, being less gentle on the flooring.

Good luck

Answer 3

If you want to pull up the old wood subfloor, you'll need to strip the linoleum off and then use a nail puller to pull the nails holding down the old subfloor. After you get an area started, you can probably pry the wood at the joists and pull the nails out after the boards are off.

Answer 4

I would just remove the linoleum on top. Then, you can see the condition of the floor that's there. If it must be removed, why can't the people who are putting down the new floor, remove it for you? If it's too expensive to do, I'd put the new floor on top. I know some people who have done that. Hopefully it won't make the floor too high to cause someone to stump their foot.

Answer 5

Yes, get a pry bar, and start snapping them up. Remove the 1/2-inch, 1/4-round (quarter round) floor molding around the walls, and cabinets. You need to start removing the molding at any point you choose, just put a number on the back starting at #1 so you will know which order to put them back down, when you are completed with new flooring. If you are going to use carpet, you probably want need to replace them at all, only if the carpet layer doesn't leave noticeable gaps along the walls, and cabinets. If he does, he's not a carpet layer, but a want-a-be.

Answer 6

Leave it..... it gives a better base for the new wood...

Answer 7

if the wood is in good condition leave it