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How to remove laminate flooring

Laminate flooring being pulled up with a chisel

Overview

Floating laminate flooring comes apart as easy as it fits together. You might want to remove your laminate flooring so you can replace with a new type of flooring or to replace any damaged boards. When removing the flooring, remember that the edges of the boards are fragile, remove them carefully, so you can use them in another room. 

Steps

1How to remove the skirting boards

Removing the skirting boards makes lifting up the laminate floor much easier. Starting near a door entrance, wedge the pinch bar between the skirting board and the wall and hit it with a hammer. Lever the skirting board away from the wall. Keep doing this as you work your way towards the corner. Continue until all of the skirting board has been removed.

Person using hammer and pinch bar to remove skirting board.

2Remove the skirting board nails from the wall

Once you've removed the skirting, you may find some nails sticking out of the wall that used to hold the boards in place. Using your claw hammer and packing wood, place the wood against the wall, near the nail and lever it out using the hammer. The timber makes sure the wall isn't damaged.
Person using hammer to remove skirting board nails.

3Carefully remove the laminate floorboards

Remove the first board by wedging the chisel between the board and the floor. Gently lever it up to a 45-degree angle to unsnap it from the piece it's connected to. Now work your way down the room, board by board, across the first row. Then move onto the second row and so on. If the boards are in good condition, you can save them to use in another room.

Person removing laminate flooring.
Health & Safety

Asbestos, lead-based paints and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber are health hazards you need to look out for when renovating older homes. These substances can easily be disturbed when renovating and exposure to them can cause a range of life-threatening diseases and conditions including cancer. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer or visit our Health & Safety page.

When following our advice in our D.I.Y. videos, make sure you use all equipment, including PPE, safely by following the manufacturer’s instructions. Check that the equipment is suitable for the task and that PPE fits properly. If you are unsure, hire an expert to do the job or talk to a Bunnings Team Member.