Can I reuse and re-lay laminate flooring?
Removing tongue and groove laminate flooring is not a difficult project. Homeowners who need to remove laminate will find the process to be straightforward. The useful life of a floor goes through the repairs, reuse and general maintenance that will require a laminate floor to be removed at some point.
There are many reasons why someone might have to lift the laminate to get to the floor below, whether it be moisture, water spills, or the need to access plumbing. Simple tools and a gentle hand will lift laminate planks with minimal damage, so they can be reused. Not having to replace or reuse planks saves money, helps the environment, and preserves its beauty.
Reuse of a laminate floor
A room with beautiful flooring provides more than eye-pleasing availability. Sometimes this foundation needs to be removed to repair possible water damage or to find out why a point is flexing under pressure. Installers generally do not glue tongue-and-groove laminate flooring, and it can come off in pieces. The flexibility of this flooring allows the homeowner to relocate the planks or even recycle them in a different room.
A homeowner who wants to remove laminate flooring must be very careful when lifting the planks. Applying too much pressure can crack the tongue portion of the laminate. If the reed breaks off in the removal process, the board must be discarded as it will no longer fit properly into its partner. Since the board’s tongue can break easily, it’s wise to keep a box of spare boards on hand (or, of course, not toss out leftover boards from when you bought them).
How to remove the planks
Tongue and groove laminate floors fit together like a puzzle. The planks fit together perfectly and require a gentle hand when pulling them apart. The puzzle-like configuration makes removing the planks an easy project. Often you may find that it floats on a base rather than having glue to secure it, so you don’t need to be too aggressive.
Removing and replacing laminate flooring requires a rubber mallet and pry bar at a 90-degree angle. It is imperative to pick up the first board that sits closest to a wall. Using the pry bar, gently lift the floorboard up. If the flooring is glued down, be careful when removing it and be prepared to use new planks. Since the boards are at a 45 degree angle, gently slide and move the board away from your partner without damaging the reed. Number each plank as it was during removal to ensure a painless replacement process.
Benefits of Reusing Floors
Reasons for removing laminate flooring can vary from homeowner to homeowner. Reusing this flooring not only saves money, but also helps save the environment. Recycling and recycling material helps keep unnecessary trash out of landfills and doing so is an environmentally responsible endeavor. Accessing the subfloor and reusing the planks is a simple process that saves money and is environmentally responsible.