Using Skill Saw to Remove Linoleum Underlayment and Flooring

Suggested Tools for Removing Linoleum Underlayment 

Some suggested tools for removing Linoleum Underlayment:

1. The Barry Remover : slide under the staple, press down and twist to remove staples from the underlayment.

2. Air Scaler

3. Tile Snippet Tool, rounded on both sides. Use it to pivot the staples out of the existing underlayment.

4. Japanese Prybar 18-24 Inches,

5. Skill Saw the underlayment into strips and then use a roof shovel to tear off the underlayment.

Before you begin removing the  sub floors or underlayment you must know the orientation of the floor joists so you may cut between them. Once you know the location and orientation of the floor joists, simply use your skill saw to make relief cuts in the wood sub floor material between the joists so you can begin prying the material loose.

After you have made the necessary cuts in the  sub floor area you will be replacing, use a flat pry bar to begin lifting the material from the joists. If the sub floor being replaced is dimensional plank lumber you will need to also make cuts at the perimeter of the repair area along floor joists.

You will then need to nail blocks to the joists for the replacement wood sub flooring to rest on. If the original material is particle board or plywood you should replace the entire sheet if at all possible or at least to one edge. If you must only replace a partial sheet use the same method of blocking on the floor joists to support the replacement sub floor.