How to Remove Laminate Flooring Without Damaging the Planks
Sometimes you need to remove laminate flooring. Maybe you are moving to a new home and want to take the floor with you. Maybe there is damage under the floor that needs repair. Whatever the reason, removing laminate without damage requires patience and the right technique.
Tools You Will Need
- Pry bar or flat bar
- Rubber mallet
- Oscillating multi tool
- Utility knife
- Work gloves
- Painter tape for marking planks
Can Laminate Be Reused
Laminate flooring can be removed and reinstalled in most cases. The locking mechanism is designed to be disconnected. But the planks may show some wear at the edges from the removal process.
Planks that have been glued at the seams cannot be reused. If the manufacturer recommends gluing the joints during installation, the planks will break when separated.
Planks with moisture damage or swelling should not be reused. The damaged area will continue to worsen after reinstallation.
Removal Method Starting From the Wall
The easiest removal starts at the wall edge. This method does not damage planks if done carefully.
1. Remove baseboards and quarter round around the room
2. Place painter tape on the first 3 rows of planks to protect the surface
3. Insert a pry bar under the first plank at the wall edge. Use a scrap piece of wood between the pry bar and the wall to protect the wall surface
4. Gently lift the first plank. It should disengage from the second row
5. Continue lifting planks row by row, working from the wall toward the center
6. As each row is removed, stack the planks in order
Lift each plank evenly. Do not twist or force it. The locking mechanism disengages when lifted to the correct angle.
Removal Method Starting From the Middle
If you cannot start at the wall, the middle removal method cuts the damaged plank and works outward.
1. Use the oscillating multi tool to cut the damaged plank into pieces
2. Remove the pieces carefully with a pry bar
3. Once the damaged plank is removed, you have access to the adjacent planks
4. Use a pull bar to disconnect the adjacent planks from the cut area
5. Work outward from the cut area to the walls
This method damages the cut plank but saves the surrounding planks.
Marking Planks for Reinstallation
As you remove planks, mark them with the following information:
- Row number
- Position in the row (left to right)
- Orientation (which direction the tongue faces)
Use painter tape and a permanent marker. Write the information on the tape, not on the plank surface. The tape is removed before reinstallation.
Storage of Removed Planks
Stack removed planks flat. Do not lean them against a wall. The weight can cause the planks to bow. Stack planks in order of removal for easier reinstallation.
Store planks in a climate controlled space. Extreme temperature or humidity changes can cause the planks to warp.
Reinstallation Tips
Reinstall laminate using the same method as the original installation. Check the subfloor condition before reinstalling. If the subfloor has changed, level it first.
Replace any planks that were damaged during removal. Use new planks from the same production batch if available. Reinstall with the same expansion gaps and acclimation requirements as the first installation.
About PROLEADER
PROLEADER manufactures laminate with durable locking mechanisms designed for single installation. Contact us for reinstallation guidance and matching planks for replacement.
