Removing laminate flooring can come across as a hefty job. But with the right tools and proper preparation, it’s easier than you think. The handy thing about removing a laminate floor is that the laminate is often laid floating. This means that the planks are laid directly on a subfloor and no glue is required. That makes removing the floor a lot easier and faster. We list the supplies you need and tell you step by step how to remove your laminate yourself.
Required tools for removing laminate flooring
- Crowbar and/or shovel
- Stanley knife
- Putty knife
- Good gloves
- Debris bags or, for example, a trailer into which you can throw trash
Removing laminate flooring in 5 steps
1. Preparation
Make sure you have gathered the necessary tools so you can move forward. It is also essential to completely empty the room or rooms where the laminate flooring is located.
2. Skirting removal
Before you can start working on the floor, you must first remove the baseboards. This must be done very carefully because otherwise the wall may be damaged. It is best to carefully pry the baseboards loose with a putty knife and then remove them one by one. If the baseboards are glued off at the top or bottom, you can cut it away with a Stanley knife.
3. Loosening and removing shelves
See if you can start removing the laminate in a corner of the room. Because the planks are laid floating, they are usually fairly easy to loosen. You can loosen them one at a time by gently pulling them up. If it is difficult to make a start, you can use a crowbar.
4. Remove subfloor
If all goes well, there is a subfloor under the laminate floor. This can consist of different materials but is usually felt or rubber. This is easy to remove because it is not glued. In case you are going to lay new laminate it is wise to keep it.
5. Disposal of waste
You can choose to keep the laminate or throw it away. Depending on the condition of the laminate, you can make a choice in this. It only makes sense to keep it if you have a nice amount of undamaged boards. Don’t have much left or is the laminate depreciated? Then you can take it to the recycling yard. You can collect it in debris bags or throw it directly on a trailer, for example.
Cost of laminate removal
The cost of laminate removal depends on several factors. If you remove the floor yourself, you may only have to incur costs for such things as tools and possible disposal costs at the junkyard. When you have the floor removed by a professional, the cost is often calculated per m2. Usually this is between 4 and 8 euros per m2, but this also often depends on the size of the job.
Repairing laminate
Of course, you may like to keep your laminate, sell it or give it away to friends or family. If so, it may be helpful to know how to repair damaged planks. Below, for the most common repairs, you will see how best to go about it.
Stain removal from laminate
How best to remove stains from your laminate depends a bit on type of stain. But usually it works best with a soak of water and degreaser.
Removing paint from laminate
To remove paint from laminate, you can use a small amount of acetone or paint remover. It is best to test this on an old or broken board first.
Remove scratches in laminate
To repair scratches and holes in laminate, you can use laminate filler. This can be purchased at most hardware stores such as Gamma and Praxis.
Removing unpleasant odors from laminate
To remove nasty odors from the laminate, it is best to clean the boards with a mixture of water a little vinegar.
Difference between laminate and PVC removal
Laminate and PVC floors are quite similar, yet there is a difference. The difference is mainly in the material and method of installation.
- Material: Laminate consists of compressed wood fibers (HDF) and PVC consists of plastic (polyvinyl chloride).
- Installation: Laminate is usually laid without glue on a subfloor, PVC, on the other hand, is also often glued.
So removing a PVC floor requires a different technique and different tools. How to remove a PVC floor read here.
Need help removing a floor?
Floor removal can be an intensive job. Also, each type of floor requires a different approach. We specialize in floor removal and are happy to help! You can contact us to discuss your situation and receive a free quote from us.
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