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I am prepping an area that will be getting a new VCT floor (installed by a floor Pro). Part of this task includes removing a glass block reception desk. Now that I have blown away all of the glass block (that was fun — only two band-aids), I am left with a the wood footing, which is a 2X4 for the straight run, and several layers of plywood for a curved area. They were attached to the plywood subfloor with long wood screws. Now that I have all the screws out, it seems that they were also attached with construction adhesive (or something like it), because they aren’t moving. What is the best way remove these footings without doing damage to the subfloor, as this will area will now become part of the new floor?
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You could rent a flush cut saw and hit it from both sides, or sawzall it. I think I would try chiselling and bashing on it first, because the wood should give up before the construction adhesive. Then you can clean it up with a big old chisel, or belt sander.
I don't really understand why a little damage to this area would matter too much if it's going to be used as a subfloor--can't you just add onto it or fill in as needed? It doesn't need to be pretty or perfect does it?
Good luck,
MD
*Just bash it out and leave it.The pro VCT installers (if they really are) will have all they need with them when they come to do the floor. They will know it is a plywood underlayment and come prepared to fill voids or scrape protrusions. Their prices should already include that type of preparation because they don't want callbacks on their work either.
*If you have a circular saw with a carbide blade, set the depth of cut to equal the thickness of the wood on the floor, or just a tiny hair less. Make a lot of cross cuts thru it, say every inch or two. Starting from one end, stick a flat bar into the saw kerfs, and break the little pieces of wood apart. Break and scrape what you can with the flat bar, then go to an old chisel. If breaking the pieces out starts to tear up the top ply of the subfloor, having the saw kerfs will let you chisel thru and stop the ripping up at no more than a couple inches.-- J.S.
*Use xJohn's method with the saw.Then use a belt sander for cleanup, instead of the chisel. Use a very rough grit, and you'll have it flush with the floor before you know it.
*Thanks for the advice. It was easier than I expected, and no complaints from the floor people.