I have a master bedroom and office which have particle board underlayment. I can tell it is off-gassing formaldehyde because I can smell it!
I plan to replace the carpet in a month so I'd like to remove the particle board first and put new plywood.
It is nailed down like below and I still don't know what's the most efficient way/tool to remove it?
Any suggestion is appreciated!
My experience with removing old particle board sub flooring was to use a pry bar like this:
Pound the end in under the edge of the material and break it apart. This will make lots of pieces of the particle board that are relatively easy to handle and clean away. Most particle board removal like this will break away from the nails and make it easy to come along behind and easily pull them out with a claw hammer and/or the pry bar.
I tried using a cats paw to remove the nails from the top of the particle board and I can say it is a very time consuming process to do it that way and some nails will still resist being removed that way. It was overall frustrating and the above described process of breaking apart the material was much faster and more productive.
Buy a cat's paw prybar and pound it under each nailhead, pull each nail individually. I know it sounds painfully laborous, but believe me - much cleaner, efficient, and productive. Make sure to test the smallest piece first - they may all be glued. If that's the case, go buy the cheapest latex paint you can find and paint over the floor to seal in the stink until you get your carpet.
Honestly, I'd call my latter suggestion "Plan A", but I don't know your situation.
