How to Remove Underlayment of Particle Board

Underlayment sits in between the subfloor and the flooring.

Particle board underlayment usually attaches to a plywood subfloor with nails or screws. You might have to remove particle board underlayment if the wood has warped or rotted. This job can only be completed once the actual flooring has been removed. Flooring includes: carpet, tile, hardwood and linoleum. Underlayment installed with screws can be removed with an electric screw gun. Nailed-down underlayment removal requires the use of a claw hammer and pry bar.

Things You'll Need

• Electric screw gun
• Claw hammer
• Pry bar

Instructions

1. Locate the screws or nails in each piece of particle board.

2. Remove the screws with an electric screw gun. Turn the screws counterclockwise to get them out.

3. Set the blade of the pry bar at a 45-degree angle toward the head of the nail. Tap the back of the pry bar with a hammer until the pry bar blade gets under the nail head. Push down on the hand of the pry bar to lift the nail up. Put the shank of the nail in between the claws of the hammer below the nail head. Pull the handle of the hammer to pull out the nail.

4. Pry the edge of a piece of particle board underlayment up with the pry bar after all nails or screws are remove. Pick up the piece of underlayment and remove it from the floor. Repeat this process until all particle board underlayment is removed.

Resources

• Hardwood Installer: Proper Subfloors for Hardwood Flooring