How To Remove Glued Wood Flooring

Removing glued wood flooring can be a daunting task, but it is possible with the right tools and techniques. Glued wood flooring is typically installed using a strong adhesive that can be difficult to remove without damaging the wood. However, by following the steps below, you can safely and effectively remove glued wood flooring without damaging the underlying subfloor.

### Gather Your Tools

Before you begin removing glued wood flooring, you will need to gather the following tools:

Pry bar

Hammer

Chisel

Utility knife

Shop vacuum

Safety glasses

Dust mask

### Prepare the Room

Once you have gathered your tools, you need to prepare the room for removal. This includes removing all furniture and other objects from the room. You should also cover the walls and any other surfaces that you do not want to damage with plastic sheeting. Finally, open the windows to ventilate the room, as removing glued wood flooring can create a lot of dust.

### Remove the Baseboards

The first step in removing glued wood flooring is to remove the baseboards. This can be done using a pry bar and a hammer. Carefully pry the baseboards loose from the wall and remove them. Be careful not to damage the wall or the baseboards.

### Score the Wood Flooring

Once the baseboards have been removed, you need to score the wood flooring. This will help to weaken the adhesive and make it easier to remove the flooring. To score the flooring, use a utility knife to make shallow cuts along the seams between the planks. You should also score the flooring around the perimeter of the room.

### Pry Up the Wood Flooring

Once the flooring has been scored, you can begin to pry it up. To do this, insert the pry bar under a plank of flooring and gently pry it up. Be careful not to pry up the flooring too quickly, as this could damage the subfloor.

### Remove the Adhesive

Once the flooring has been pried up, you will need to remove the adhesive from the subfloor. This can be done using a chisel and a hammer. Carefully scrape away the adhesive, taking care not to damage the subfloor.

### Clean the Subfloor

Once the adhesive has been removed, you need to clean the subfloor. This can be done using a shop vacuum and a damp mop. Be sure to remove all of the dust and debris from the subfloor.

### Install the New Flooring

Once the subfloor has been cleaned, you can install the new flooring. This can be done using a variety of methods, depending on the type of flooring you have chosen. Be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions for installing the flooring.