KnowHow

Processes For Growing Restoration Companies

During the water mitigation process, removing laminate floors involves carefully extracting the flooring material to prevent further water damage and facilitate drying. This involves disassembling the laminate planks and removing any underlying padding or underlayment that may be retaining moisture.

Remove Laminate Floors during Water Mitigation

Before starting the removal process, gather the necessary materials such as:
<ul>
<li>utility knife</li>
<li>drill with screwdriver attachments</li>
<li>pry bar</li>
<li>hammer</li>
<li>protective gloves</li>
<li>safety goggles</li>
<li>garbage bags</li>
</ul>
These items will make the removal process more efficient and safe. Ensure you have a clear work area by removing any furniture or obstacles around the laminate floor.

Gather materials

<ul>
<li>Remove all Trim/Base/Transition strips from the edges of the laminate flooring using a pry bar or a suitable tool.
<ul>
<li>If removing a transition strip, you may have to also remove the track that is attahed to the floor</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Begin by carefully prying off each strip to expose the edges of the laminate planks for easy removal.
<ul>
<li>Take care not to damage the walls or surrounding surfaces during this process.</li>
<li>You may need to score where the trim meets the wall if there is caulk&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>

Remove all Trim/Base/Transition strip

<ul>
<li>Begin by choosing a corner of the laminate floor to start the removal process.
<ul>
<li>This corner should be away from the door to allow for easier removal.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Use the utility knife to cut through the edge of the laminate flooring near the wall, creating a starting point for the removal.</li>
</ul>

Start in a corner

<ul>
<li>Slide the pry bar underneath the edge of the cut laminate flooring and gently lift it up.
<ul>
<li>Be cautious not to damage the subfloor underneath.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Slowly work your way along the edge of the laminate floor, using the pry bar to lift and loosen the flooring from the subfloor.
<ul>
<li>Typically, Lamainate is a 'floating' floor, held together with tounge and groove sides. As you pull up, they will start to separate into single peices.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>On occasion, you may run into a laminate floor that was glued down, which makes it a bit more difiicult to remove.</li>
</ul>

Use the pry bar

<ol>
<li>Once a section of the laminate flooring has been loosened, carefully lift and remove the planks from the subfloor.</li>
<li>Place the removed planks in garbage bags for easy disposal.</li>
<li>Continue this process of using the pry bar to lift and remove the laminate planks until the entire floor has been cleared.</li>
<li>Simply go row by row until complete.</li>
</ol>

Remove the laminate planks

Properly dispose of the removed laminate flooring by placing it in garbage bags or taking it to a designated waste disposal area.
Ensure that the area is clean and free of any leftover debris from the removal process.
Consider recycling the laminate flooring if possible to reduce waste.