Things You'll Need:
- Building blueprints
- Reciprocating saw with small square head blade
- Putty knife or thin wedge tool
- Glue solvent
- Hammer or screwdriver
- Drill and small bit
- Circular saw
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Step 1
Consult the building's plan or blueprint to determine where wires and pipes run through the floor. This will help avoid cutting in areas that have pipes or wiring running underneath. Cut a larger area out, if necessary, to avoid water or fire damage and danger.
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Step 2
Set the circular saw's cutting depth to approximately 1/16 to 1/8 inch greater than the material you wish to cut through. This will allow you to cut completely through the top layer with minimal damage to the underlayment. Avoid cutting around nails and screws as this will dull the saw blade quickly. Cut out the area you wish to remove stopping precisely at your corner marks.
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Step 3
Set the reciprocating saw's cutting length to approximately the same thickness as the boards your are cutting and work the reciprocating saw slowly at the corners around the floorboard area being removed. You can also use a sharp wood chisel to cut and shape out your corners.
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Step 4
Stick a putty knife or thin wedge tool into the crack you just cut in the floorboards. Use the tool to pry the floorboard up off the floor surface underneath. You may need to apply glue solvent to get the floorboard to come up. As the floorboards raise, remove any nails of screws with a hammer or screwdriver.
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Step 5
Cut through the floorboards numerous times to remove the boards in small pieces, if necessary. Cut in one piece if you plan on reusing or replacing the floorboards.
