Grateful for tips on how to best remove a parquet floor without damaging it.
I have just started tearing it up and it turns out it wasn't as easy as I thought to remove it "without damage". The parquet isn't glued, about 40 years old. There was water damage in the room, which might mean the floor has "swelled". However, the parquet is completely unharmed, no water stains at all, nor any bad smell.
Is there a good way to dismantle the floor, or is it just a matter of swallowing your tears and "muscle through"? (The thought is very tempting, frustration is at its peak right now)
/Kristian
I have just started tearing it up and it turns out it wasn't as easy as I thought to remove it "without damage". The parquet isn't glued, about 40 years old. There was water damage in the room, which might mean the floor has "swelled". However, the parquet is completely unharmed, no water stains at all, nor any bad smell.
Is there a good way to dismantle the floor, or is it just a matter of swallowing your tears and "muscle through"? (The thought is very tempting, frustration is at its peak right now)
/Kristian
If you approach it from the right angle, it should be possible to pry it off without causing damage. If it's nailed, the nails are on the side where the tongue is. You can usually see where they placed the "last" pieces, as there are typically some visible nail heads there. Start there and work your way forward.
A flat end of a crowbar and a good pair of pliers are useful to have. When approaching from the right direction, you can lift the parquet slightly with the crowbar so that the nails are pulled out a bit. Then you can pull the nails out with the pliers and remove the board.
I have pried off a nice birch parquet this way. Some tongues and grooves were cracked, but it can undoubtedly be used again.
A flat end of a crowbar and a good pair of pliers are useful to have. When approaching from the right direction, you can lift the parquet slightly with the crowbar so that the nails are pulled out a bit. Then you can pull the nails out with the pliers and remove the board.
I have pried off a nice birch parquet this way. Some tongues and grooves were cracked, but it can undoubtedly be used again.
Thanks for the quick response!
There's no problem lifting up the parquet; it's not nailed. The problem is pulling the tiles apart.
How do you work with the pincers? What do you place between the tongs and the parquet to avoid crushing the parquet?
There's no problem lifting up the parquet; it's not nailed. The problem is pulling the tiles apart.
How do you work with the pincers? What do you place between the tongs and the parquet to avoid crushing the parquet?
It didn't break if I pulled the nails "to the side," parallel to the board. I grabbed with the outermost edge of the pliers.
But if it's not nailed, then it might be glued. It's probably not as easy then.
Found a picture:
But if it's not nailed, then it might be glued. It's probably not as easy then.
Found a picture:
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