Removing Underlayment

1. Adjust saw - Removing the covering and underlayment at the same time is a quick way to prepare a surface for new flooring. I?ve found it works best to cut the covering and underlayment into small squares (Step 2) and then pry them up (Step 3). Adjust the depth of your circular saw to the combined depth of the flooring and the underlayment, as shown. You don?t want to cut into the subfloor?just cut deep enough to free the underlayment.

2. Cut into 3-foot squares - With the circular saw set to the appropriate depth, and wearing safety glasses and gloves, begin cutting the flooring into roughly 3-foot squares. You?re not looking for precision here, just tearing up old flooring. When you near the wall, stop cutting and either finish the cut with a reciprocating saw, using a plunge cut, or simply leverage out the uncut piece with a pry bar. If you even suspect that the old flooring contains asbestos, call in a flooring contractor for an assessment.

3. Pry up - Once the floor covering and underlayment has been cut up into squares, all that?s left is to pry it up with a pry bar or crow bar. In either case, jam the blade under the underlayment and pry up. A floor scraper like the one shown on page 20 can also be used. If the underlayment was nailed down, prying should be quick and easy. If screws were used, you?ll likely pop the underlayment off and then have to go back and remove them with a screwdriver. When done, go over the entire floor, carefully looking for exposed nails or screws.