Remove Old Flooring
Whether you're pulling up worn carpet, cracked tile, or damaged laminate, proper removal sets the stage for a flawless new floor. Take the time to inspect and repair the subfloor before installing anything new.
Time Required
1-2 days
Cost
$500-$2,000
Difficulty
Moderate
Removal by Flooring Type
Carpet removal
Cut carpet into 3-4 foot wide strips with a utility knife and roll each strip for disposal. Pull up the padding underneath. Remove tack strips with a pry bar and pliers. Pull all staples from the subfloor with a floor scraper.
Tile removal
Use a floor scraper or demolition hammer with a chisel bit to break tiles free. Work from the edges inward. Remove all thin-set mortar from the subfloor. Test for asbestos in adhesive if the home was built before 1980.
Laminate or vinyl removal
Floating laminate clicks apart and lifts off the underlayment. Glue-down vinyl requires a floor scraper and adhesive remover. Sheet vinyl may peel up in sections. Remove all underlayment and adhesive residue.
Subfloor Inspection Checklist
- Moisture test: Use a moisture meter to check for elevated readings. Subfloor moisture above 12% can cause new flooring to warp or buckle.
- Rot or water damage: Probe soft spots with a screwdriver. Spongy areas indicate rot and must be cut out and replaced with new plywood.
- Levelness: Use a 6-foot straightedge to check for dips and humps. Subfloor must be flat within 3/16 inch per 10 feet for hardwood installation.
- Squeaks: Walk the entire subfloor and screw down any squeaky spots with 1-5/8 inch subfloor screws into the joists.
- Where walls were removed: Patch the subfloor gap where a demolished wall stood. Match the existing subfloor thickness and material.
Pro Tips
- •Check for hidden hardwood: Many homes built before 1970 have original hardwood floors under the carpet. Pull back a corner to check before committing to new flooring. It may be refinishable.
- •Rent the right tools: A floor scraper ($50/day rental) saves hours of manual labor. For tile, a demolition hammer ($75/day) is essential.
- •Dispose responsibly: Old flooring is heavy. A 10-yard dumpster or multiple truck loads to the landfill may be needed. Check if your municipality accepts carpet for recycling.