How to Clear Particle Board From the Floor

When removing wood flooring, it is important to wear appropriate safety equipment.

Particleboard consists of various sizes of wood particles that have been bonded together using resin, pressure and heat. One use for particle board is subflooring. Subflooring serves as a base for the main flooring in a room.



Proper installation and choice of material for the subfloor is critical to the wear and performance of the main flooring. For example, particle board that is exposed to moisture will swell. If you've installed vinyl tiles for your main flooring, the tile seams will separate over time.

Things You'll Need

• Plastic sheeting
• Pencil
• Measuring tape
• Circular saw
• Pry bar
• Drill
• Gloves
• Goggles
• Dust mask

Instructions

1. Cover air return ducts and doors with plastic sheeting to protect the rest of the home from dust.

2. Mark location of floor joists using a pencil. Location can be accomplished by looking for the rows of nails or screws holding down the particle board.

3. Measure the thickness of the particle board. Set the saw to cut 1/16-inch deeper than the thickness of the board.

4. Cut the particle board into section shapes and sizes of your choosing. Stay perpendicular to the floor joists, cutting on both sides of the joists.

5. Remove cut sections.

6. Remove nails using the pry bar. Remove screws using the drill.

7. Remove remaining particle board strips.

References

• Online Tips: What is a Subfloor?
• Lumber Products: Particle Board Panels
• International Standards and Training Alliance: Underlayment and Subfloors
• Online Tips: How to Remove a Subfloor
• Bob Vila: How Do You Remove Particle Board Subfloor?