How Do I Remove a Wooden Subfloor Under a Linoleum Floor?
No matter what type of flooring you have, there is always a subfloor underneath to provide support to the main floor. The subfloor, which is often plywood, may need to be removed and replaced at some point. Even those with little home improvement experience can remove a wooden subfloor underneath linoleum with only a few tools. Once you remove it, replacing the subfloor will provide a sturdy surface for whatever new flooring you want to put down. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Remove the linoleum to expose the subfloor. Cut the linoleum in strips with a utility knife and pull it up with your hands. Scrape away any remaining linoleum or adhesive with a pry bar until the subfloor is visible.
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Determine where you want to begin removing the floor. You will notice by the nail placements where the plywood is nailed into the joists, which are areas you want to avoid cutting through with a circular saw since they provide support for the flooring. Once you decide what you want to remove, drill a hole down into the subfloor to confirm that you won't be cutting into a joist.
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Remove the subfloor by cutting into it with a circular saw. Adjust the saw-blade depth to approximately 1/2 an inch so it cuts through the plywood. Make a small, square cut, enough to begin pulling the plywood up by hand.
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Remove the subfloor from the joists by using a pry bar if it is nailed down or a power drill if it's screwed in. Once you've removed the subfloor, measure and cut pieces of plywood for a new subfloor.
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