How to Remove a Floorboard

Perhaps you notice your floorboards squeaking, or maybe you have water damage on the floorboards. If tearing out the entire floor and replacing it with a new one is too costly, replacing a few damaged sections of floorboard may be your best option.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Tape measure
• Circular saw
• Pry bar
• Chisel
• Hammer
• Drill
• Nails

1. Cut the new floorboard to fit the section you're replacing. If you haven't had the floorboard cut at your local hardware store, measure the space you're replacing, and then use a circular saw to cut it to the appropriate size.

2. Take up the old or damaged floorboard. Remove the nails, and then cut the floorboard at the midpoint of the joints.

3. Place a pry bar under the first floorboard, and then force it up. If you don't have enough space to use the pry bar, cut a hole in the floorboard with a circular saw. Once you remove the cut section, remove the rest of floorboard with the pry bar.

4. Use a chisel to remove the floorboard if glue was used instead of nails. Cut through to the bottom of the floorboard and tap it loose with a hammer.

5. Insert the new floorboard in the space to make sure it fits. If it does, drill holes into the new floorboard and joists. This prevents splitting the wood while you're nailing the floorboard to the joists. Then nail the board down using ring shank nails.