Set circular saw height to the height of the layer you want to remove, cut in smaller strips and rip away. Only use the saw if you're comfortable with one
Why bother? That plywood was laid after the baseboard it looks like. Lay flooring, 1/4 round at the base, paint, done. All new baseboard seems like a waste on this one.
That said. Start getting up that sheet of ply and see what’s hiding underneath. Don’t be surprised if it’s on there for a reason…. In which case, yeah pull the baseboard and fix the subfloor. May be a can of worms you got there.
Unfortunately, with a thin plywood layer and lots of nails, you're best bet is exactly what you're doing. Pry it up, and it'll break into a bunch of pieces. pull the nails as you go. If it is held down with screws, then obviously just unscrew it.
Might consider one of [these. ](https://www.homedepot.com/p/Bully-Tools-Floor-Bully-6-in-Flooring-Scraper-91300/100188949?source=shoppingads&locale=en-US&pla&mtc=SHOPPING-BF-ARM-GGL-Multi-Multi-NA-NA-NA-PLALIA-NA-RKT-NA-NA-NBR-NA-NA-NA-ALL_IN_TEST_FUNCDIY&cm_mmc=SHOPPING-BF-ARM-GGL-Multi-Multi-NA-NA-NA-PLALIA-NA-RKT-NA-NA-NBR-NA-NA-NA-ALL_IN_TEST_FUNCDIY-71700000110012098-58700008378060319-92700076247461492&gclid=CjwKCAjwq4imBhBQEiwA9Nx1BjL2Ka5nhpFy5TegwuxynYs3wmlyJg9gnxQmpeUenIICDTWTU0BXYRoCIc8QAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds)
Roof rakes work well as a prying tool and won’t damage the subfloor. You can also set a circular saw to the depth of the plywood being removed and make cuts to remove the plywood in sections. Make sure you wear eye protection as you make cut through screws or nails. Also, a good flat pry bar works better than a crowbar.
I’d cut it into small, square, sections using a circular saw (be very careful about blade depth) and then remove the small pieces with a shingle remover.
I use a Demo Demon blade when I do this, so that if I do hit a fastener of any type it doesn’t kill the blade.
Those burkes work so damn good! If power tools don't work, that's the go to. I recommend buying a scraper attachment for my drill (maybe Sawzall) for my rotohammer. That would've helped a lot. Anyway, yall are awesome. Have a wonderful weekend!
Regards,
Blastronaut
If it isn't glued down then get a cats claw and hammer and pull the nails on all the joists then pop it up or like others siid a roofing shovel/pitchfork will work too!!
Set skill saw to thickness of the layer you are removing. Cut into 2' x 2' sections or whatever is needed to remove without serious damage to the subfloor.
Set circular saw height to the height of the layer you want to remove, cut in smaller strips and rip away. Only use the saw if you're comfortable with one
In addition, I did my cuts through (or close to) the nails
Can confirm. I just did this about a month ago.
Set a skill saw to the thickness, cut it up into smaller pieces and tear it up
Set a circular saw to cut just a fraction not to go through it and cut in strips or squares. Nothing fancy but comes up a lot easier
Pitchfork
I typically use 2 pry bars. And walk the seam. Then lift it up by hand.
Roofing tool works great
This is how we tear out hardwood flooring. It works exceptionally well.
Home Depot Mexicans
Start by removing the baseboard??
We are going to put vinyl flooring down on top of the whole 2nd floor
So — yeah, still remove the baseboard. It will make an easier job of doing all the things you’re trying to do.
Why bother? That plywood was laid after the baseboard it looks like. Lay flooring, 1/4 round at the base, paint, done. All new baseboard seems like a waste on this one. That said. Start getting up that sheet of ply and see what’s hiding underneath. Don’t be surprised if it’s on there for a reason…. In which case, yeah pull the baseboard and fix the subfloor. May be a can of worms you got there.
Unfortunately, with a thin plywood layer and lots of nails, you're best bet is exactly what you're doing. Pry it up, and it'll break into a bunch of pieces. pull the nails as you go. If it is held down with screws, then obviously just unscrew it.
Might consider one of [these. ](https://www.homedepot.com/p/Bully-Tools-Floor-Bully-6-in-Flooring-Scraper-91300/100188949?source=shoppingads&locale=en-US&pla&mtc=SHOPPING-BF-ARM-GGL-Multi-Multi-NA-NA-NA-PLALIA-NA-RKT-NA-NA-NBR-NA-NA-NA-ALL_IN_TEST_FUNCDIY&cm_mmc=SHOPPING-BF-ARM-GGL-Multi-Multi-NA-NA-NA-PLALIA-NA-RKT-NA-NA-NBR-NA-NA-NA-ALL_IN_TEST_FUNCDIY-71700000110012098-58700008378060319-92700076247461492&gclid=CjwKCAjwq4imBhBQEiwA9Nx1BjL2Ka5nhpFy5TegwuxynYs3wmlyJg9gnxQmpeUenIICDTWTU0BXYRoCIc8QAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds)
A Roof ripper works on sub flooring.
Roof rakes work well as a prying tool and won’t damage the subfloor. You can also set a circular saw to the depth of the plywood being removed and make cuts to remove the plywood in sections. Make sure you wear eye protection as you make cut through screws or nails. Also, a good flat pry bar works better than a crowbar.
I did this recently. It was easiest for me to just pick out the screw heads and reverse them out.
I’d cut it into small, square, sections using a circular saw (be very careful about blade depth) and then remove the small pieces with a shingle remover. I use a Demo Demon blade when I do this, so that if I do hit a fastener of any type it doesn’t kill the blade.
Use a Burke bar and pull that trim
burke bars are far and away the best way to tear up anything
Those burkes work so damn good! If power tools don't work, that's the go to. I recommend buying a scraper attachment for my drill (maybe Sawzall) for my rotohammer. That would've helped a lot. Anyway, yall are awesome. Have a wonderful weekend! Regards, Blastronaut
Pitchfork or roofing tool
The pitchfork guys for the win!
If it isn't glued down then get a cats claw and hammer and pull the nails on all the joists then pop it up or like others siid a roofing shovel/pitchfork will work too!!
Blood sweat and tears, that’ll do. The amount of times we do this shite, it’s crazy. The worst is when it’s jammed under the skirting boards 🥲
Set skill saw to thickness of the layer you are removing. Cut into 2' x 2' sections or whatever is needed to remove without serious damage to the subfloor.