Carpet removal
- Cut carpet into strips with a utility knife — easier to carry
- Pull tack strips with a pry bar; wear gloves (sharp)
- Remove pad staples from subfloor
- Inspect for pet damage or moisture before new install
Laminate and floating floor removal
Floating floors come apart by reversing the click-lock from the last row installed. Start at a wall with a gap or remove baseboard first.
Glue-down laminate is rare — scrape residue or replace subfloor layer if adhesive is severe.
Tile and vinyl
- Ceramic tile: hammer and chisel, or rent a floor scraper for large areas
- Thinset on plywood may need grinding — budget time
- Sheet vinyl: heat gun softens adhesive; test for asbestos in pre-1980s homes
- Never sand or grind suspected asbestos tile — hire abatement if unsure
Timeline and disposal
After tear-out, walk the subfloor and update measurements — old flooring thickness can hide true room size. Rerun the square footage calculator if walls were previously covered differently.
- Carpet: often one room per hour once you have technique
- Laminate float: fastest removal — stack planks for disposal
- Tile: slowest; rent dumpster for large tear-outs
- Budget one day removal + one day prep before install weekend