How to approach removal of wood flooring

red_imps_2003

We recently took ownership of a new home (fifty years old; not a new build), which has oak flooring in the living room (fitted in the last six years, in case that's relevant). Next year we plan to remove the chimney breast and would like to replace the wooden flooring with carpet at the same time. Can anybody advise how one goes about removing wooden flooring please? Am I likely to be able to prise it up myself or will it need a tradesman of some sort? If it's the latter, what kind of tradesman does this?

I guess I am trying to ascertain what is likely to be involved. I imagine I may need to remove the skirting boards, as I think the flooring sits underneath them. Another problem I am worried about is that the current flooring extends seamlessly into the downstairs hallway and we would like to keep this area as it is if possible, so I don't know how to remove just to the bit that sits directly underneath the closed door, as there doesn't seem to be a natural join there. Part of the problem is that I have no idea how oak flooring is installed in the first place, so have little idea how to 'reverse' the installation. Are the panels glued down, or do they lock together like some laminate does? I don't even know what is underneath the oak, which doesn't help.

Ideally we would like to get all this work done together to minimise disruption, so I am trying to find out (and organise) everything involved well in advance. Can anybody advise how best to proceed please?

With thanks.

BigBopper

It could be a floating floor, glued to concrete or nailed to the joists. Until more details are known it's just guess work.

forestwn6

When you remove the hearth to the fireplace you will get a better idea of how it is fixed. You can then decide how to remove it. As to the doorway, the flooring needs to be cut across the doorway, the new carpet laid and the join covered with a conventional trim.

Mistral001

I would attempt to remove some of the flooring and skirting at the sides of the chimney breast where the skirting and boards will be short.


It is unlikely that you will be able to do this without some permanent damage to the oak boards, but it will mean that once you have done this you will have a clear idea of how to remove the rest of the boarding, or be able to get a keen price from a tradesman as the tradesman will be quoting with the knowledge of what exactly has to be done.

ilikewatch

To be honest, whilst removing the existing floor is (probably - depending on how it was fitted) going to be a relatively easy DIY task, assuming that your replacement carpet is going to be fitted professionally I would just ask your carpet fitter how much it would be to take up the existing floor at the same time.

Assuming that you're not planning on selling/recycling the existing flooring, leaving it down while the chimney breast is removed will serve to protect the sub-floor whilst the work is taking place.

Rolandtheroadie

I'd just lay the carpet on top of the flooring and get the door planed to suit.