Compared to some other types of flooring, it is considerably more difficult to remove the hardwood flooring. However, it is not always that difficult, and it really depends on how your hardwood flooring was laid.
One of the things that make removing hardwood flooring difficult is the fact that hardwood flooring is often made up of planks which all come in a variety of different lengths.
Due to the variety of lengths, lifting hardwood flooring can be quite a taxing job, which is why some people choose to cut their hardwood flooring before lifting it. This can make it easier to pry the wood away from the floor.
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Another reason why some people find removing hardwood flooring difficult is because of how time-consuming it can be. With vinyl flooring, you often only have to lift one piece of flooring, but with hardwood flooring, you have to lift lots of different individual planks.
This is not only time-consuming because of the vast amount of planks that cover the floor, it is also made longer as some planks will be fitted tighter to the floor than others.
This is why a lot of people think that removing hardwood flooring is difficult when compared to other types of flooring.
What is the easiest way to remove hardwood floors?
The easiest way to remove hardwood flooring is to utilize a variety of tools that will make the entire task easier.
The first tool that you should use is a box cutter or painter’s tool. One of the areas which can make lifting hardwood flooring difficult is the area where the flooring has connected to your wall.
So, to make lifting hardwood flooring easier, the first thing that you should do is separate the flooring from the walls.
Simply use your box cutter or painter’s tool to force the flooring away from the wall, ensuring you take all safety precautions, and this will make the task easier.
Once that is done, the easiest way to lift your hardwood flooring is to cut through the individual planks so that they are smaller to lift.
If the planks are smaller it will be able to get the leverage to lift them, but be careful when cutting them to ensure that you do not cut into the concrete below the flooring.
Once the blade has cut through the planks you should find that they are looser, making the task of lifting them a lot easier.
How do you remove glued down wood flooring?
If your hardwood flooring has been glued down then this can make lifting the flooring more difficult.
But, this does not make it impossible, and you will still be able to remove your hardwood flooring even if it has been glued down to the cement or floor beneath.
Even if your flooring is glued down, you will usually be able to budge the planks, even if it is only a very little amount.
This small amount of lee-way is very important as it will allow you to access the glue beneath which means you can apply things to this glue to help break it down.
One of the best ways to break down the glue that is connecting your wood flooring to the ground beneath is by using a heat gun. The heat gun will soften the glue and make it more pliant, allowing you to pull the hardwood flooring loose.
You can also then use a paint scraper to clean the glue away, allowing you to pull the wood flooring free, ready to lay new flooring.
How much does it cost to remove old hardwood floors?
It is very hard to get an average quote for how much it will cost to remove old hardwood flooring as there are a variety of factors that can affect this cost.
One major factor that impacts the cost of how much hardwood is the area that you are located in.
While materials can have an average price across the country when you pay to lift hardwood flooring, you are purely paying for labor, and this cost is something that can fluctuate dramatically.
But while it is difficult to get an average quote for how much it costs to lift hardwood flooring, it is possible to get an average cost for how much it will cost to lift flooring. On average, it will cost between $8 and $15 per square foot to lift flooring in your home.
However, it is important that you remember that this is just an average estimate, and this price will vary depending on the type of flooring you are looking to lift.
Hardwood flooring generally costs more to lift, and this price can be made even more expensive if the flooring was glued down. So while this is a ballpark estimate, bear in mind that this might change depending on your location.
How do I know if my flooring is glued down?
If your hardwood flooring is glued down, it can make it more difficult to lift this flooring before you can lay new flooring.
One of the best ways to test if your hardwood flooring is glued down is to check for any nails or staples below the floor.
To test your hardwood flooring, or any floor for that matter, for any nails/staples beneath, you should use a magnet. It is important that you use a magnet that is round and able to roll to test this.
Starting at one side of the room, you should roll the magnet across your flooring, ensuring that there are no obstructions in the way.
If your hardwood flooring is glued down then the magnet should just roll from one side of the room to the other, without stopping or changing direction in the process.
Whereas if your flooring is stapled/nailed down then it will stop dead or change direction sharply as the magnet encounters nails and staples below the flooring. But if it runs smoothly, then it is more than likely that your flooring is glued down.
Does Home Depot remove old flooring?
Yes, if you pay to have hardwood flooring installed in your home from Home Depot, then the company also offers a service where they will remove your existing flooring.
In fact, the hardwood flooring service offered by Home Depot is extremely helpful, and while it is more expensive than laying it yourself, you definitely get excellent value for your money.
Once you select the hardwood flooring that you want from Home Depot, if you pay for the home fitting service, then the company will do almost all of the work for you.
Home Depot will remove large furniture from the room that you are paying to have the flooring laid in, this also includes dismantling large furniture such as beds. They will also rip out old flooring, before laying the new flooring.
After the new flooring has been installed, Home Depot will then dismantle and take away all of your old floorings, and they will also move all of your furniture back into the room.
So if you pay for this service, there is almost nothing that you have to do yourselves. Other than choosing the flooring that you want, and paying, of course.