Earthblog

Many floor removal contractors avoid residential removal because their commercial removal equipment is either too large to work inside a house. The truth about residential removal is that, when compared to commercial, the profit margin (price per square foot) is substantially higher. Using the right equipment can allow a contractor to quickly get in, remove the flooring, and move onto the next project. The correct tool for the job is largely dependant on the type of removal and the location of the flooring inside the facility.

There are several different tools available for residential removal (along with small commercial, condos, hotels etc.).

Air Powered Spud Bar This is a good tool for very small removal areas like closets or bathrooms. It can also make removal of roofing much easier (and faster). Removal rates are not very fast, but it makes the act of removal much easier on the body, and noticeably faster than a standard manual hand scraper. Removal applications include all soft flooring (10-50 sq. ft/hour) and most hard flooring, like ceramic or hardwood (5-20 sq ft /hour).

Walk Behind Floor Stripper Because they have such a small footprint and run off standard 110 volt power, these are great tools for frequently removing larger amounts of flooring (like multiple rooms). Their small size also makes them conducive to taking up and down stairs, where a riding scraper is too large and heavy to go. Removal applications include all soft flooring (400-1500 sq. ft/hour) and most hard flooring, like ceramic or hardwood (50-150 sq ft /hour).

Riding Floor Strippers For contractors who frequently remove hard flooring (ceramic, hardwood, epoxy etc.), these machines move in and out the fastest. Power sources include battery, 110v, and ultra-clean burning propane. Removal applications include all soft flooring (1000-2500 sq. ft/hour) and most hard flooring, like ceramic or hardwood (300-800 sq ft /hour).