Content

• Part 2 of 3: Part 2: Removing the floorboards
• Part 3 of 3: Part 3: Cleaning
• What do you need

1 Decide what to do with the wood. If the tree is well preserved, then you can sell it or give it to someone else.

• On the other hand, if the wood is rotten, then in this case you will not get much for it. The smartest solution would be to simply throw away such waste.
• If you intend to sell wood, work carefully to minimize possible damage to the boards during the dismantling process.
• Note that the saw must be fitted with a carbide blade.

2 Adjust the depth of the circular saw blade. You can't do without a saw. Adjust the blade depth according to the thickness of the boards.

• Saw depth is the distance between the blade stop and the bottom of the blade.
• Hardwood floorboards come in a variety of thicknesses, although most often they are in the order of 1.6 cm.
• If you do not adjust the depth according to the thickness of the boards, then during the cut there is a risk of cutting through not only the boards, but also the rough flooring (the base of the floor under the floorboards).

3 Security measures. Remember to wear a respirator, goggles, heavy gloves and knee pads.

• Gloves and knee pads will help protect your hands and knees as well as relieve stress while working.
• During the dismantling process, there will be a lot of sawdust and wood dust in the air, which is quite dangerous for the eyes and breathing. Use goggles and a respirator for protection.
• Work with open windows for good ventilation.

Part 2 of 3: Part 2: Removing the floorboards

1. 1 Cut along the length of the board. Use a circular saw to cut the entire length of one board. The cut is made as close as possible to the center of the longitudinal part.
   • It is best to choose a plank that runs along one of the outer sides of the floor. Dismantling the first plank in such a location will make it easier to remove the remaining planks in the room.
   • You can also use a pry bar to pry off the first few planks from one of the outer sides of the floor. This is the easiest option if you have clean edged boards and have at least one open edge.
2. 2 Blow up the floorboard. Insert the flat part of the bar into the kerf and pry off both halves of the board. After removing the floorboard, move it out from under your feet.
   • The easiest way is to wedge a pry bar into the created cut and undermine both halves of the board in one motion.
   • When the flat part of the mount is under the board, push down on the edge of the long handle. The leverage should be sufficient to lift the board, but it usually takes several tries as the board is held in place by a few nails and staples.
   • If your mount is too big and you can't use it right now, you can use a wide chisel. Dismantling the first board is carried out in the same way as with a pry bar.
3. 3 You can cut the rest of the boards. If you do not need to maintain the shape of the floorboards, it is easiest to saw each board before removing it.
   • Use the circular saw to make cross cuts across the rows of floorboards. Each cut must divide the boards into sections 30-60 cm long. The cuts must be perpendicular to the direction in which the boards are laid.
   • To maintain the existing length of the floorboards, the boards can be dismantled without cutting them into smaller pieces. The decision is yours, and the dismantling process will be about the same.
4. 4 Do not hurry. You will pry on each board or each sawn piece separately. Dismantle one board completely before moving on to the next.
   • Start with the board that is directly adjacent to the first board you removed. The point of undermining the first plank is precisely to open the edges of the surrounding planks and work with them.
5. 5 Pry the board with a pry bar. Press the flat side of the pry bar under the next board you want to remove. Press down on the edge of the pry bar handle to raise the floorboard.
   • If you are not going to throw the tree away, then you should work very carefully.
   • Place the pry bar with the flat end near the first nail holding the board.
   • It is best to lift the board in the direction of the nail, rather than the opposite.
6. 6 Move along the length of each board. Lift one edge of the board and move the pry bar along the length of the boards, moving on to the next nails. Raise the board in these areas in exactly the same way as before.
   • Continue prying the board near the nails until you can remove it completely.
   • If you need to keep the boards, then dismantle them gradually in the order described above. If you only need to rip off small sections of wood that has already been damaged, you can try to remove the floorboard in one stroke, rather than working gradually.
7. 7 For stubborn boards, use a hammer. If you cannot lift the board with a conventional pry bar, you can use a hammer.
   • Insert the flat part of the pry bar under the floorboard as before.
   • Hit the handle with a heavy hammer. The force of such blows should be sufficient to dismantle the desired part of the board with a pry bar without additional effort.
8. 8 Repeat the procedure. After removing one or part of it, remove the rest of the boards in the same way. Continue until the entire floor has been removed.
   • It is most convenient to move from one end of the floor to the opposite. Do not try to move from edge to center or from center to outer edges.

Part 3 of 3: Part 3: Cleaning

1. 1 Remove all staples. Use a nailer to remove all staples from the exposed subfloor.
   • Insert the bent part of the nailer underneath the staple or nail you found.
   • Pull gently or sharply back the nailer by pushing down on the handle. When pulling the nailer in the opposite direction, the force should be sufficient to remove the nail.
   • You will need to use bent pliers to remove broken nails and staples. Pinch the visible part of the staple or nail with pliers. Swing the bracket in different directions while performing an upward pulling motion. Gradually, you will be able to remove the staple or nail from the floor.
2. 2 Remove all nails. Using large locking pliers, remove nails from floors and planks that you plan to use in the future.
   • Squeeze the nail directly under the head with pliers.
   • Pull out the nail. If it doesn’t give way, gently rock it in different directions and at the same time pull it up. Gradually, you will be able to remove the entire nail.
3. 3 Collect metal parts. Walk over the floor with a large, powerful magnet. It will be able to pull almost all available nails and staples.
   • It may take several passes to collect all the iron.
   • Even after you finish working with the magnet, once again inspect the entire area to make sure that there are no nails or staples. The remaining metal parts can be collected by hand.
   • Discard the collected broken and bent nails and staples.
4. 4 Repair the damage. Examine the rough flooring. If in the process of dismantling you damaged it, then now is the time to repair the damage.
   • Typically, the entire repair consists of re-nailing parts of the subfloor that have been blown apart during the removal of the floorboards.
   • Often, the subfloor has no damage at all. If so, skip this step.
5. 5 Collect dust. Use an industrial vacuum cleaner to collect all sawdust and remaining debris.
   • It is better to use an industrial vacuum cleaner than a household vacuum cleaner. Large debris can damage a regular household vacuum cleaner.
   • After cleaning has been completed, the dismantling of the floor boards is complete.

What do you need

• A circular saw
• Respirator
• Protective glasses
• Knee pads
• Heavy Gloves
• Pry bar
• Heavy hammer
• Clipper
• Mites
• Large pliers with locking
• Powerful magnet
• Industrial vacuum cleaner