How to remove nails from floorboards?

[phil147]

Hi all,

I have to lift some floorboards to see if there is water leak. However, i'm a bit stuck. I have a pry bar but there is no way I couldn't get it underneath the nail head and pull it out. Do I have to cut the board around the nail head to make some room?

Here is a photo



Any suggestions are appreciated!

Thanks.

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

Might be worth investing in a tack lifter to prise the heads high enough to claw out

 

[HERTS P&D]

Good luck pulling up chipboard.

Is the leak on the first floor?

Where is the damp mark?

Andy

 

[phil147]

@PrenticeBoy - Thanks for your suggestion. The more I looked at other forums, the more I am worrying about it's the T&G type of chipboard and extends across two rooms. Then I might have to saw it! Other people have suggested circular saw, hole-saw... etc. Hope I don't need those

@Hertsdrainage - The damp mark is on the ground floor kitchen ceiling. There is a bathroom on the second floor. I have removed the bath panels and could not see any leak. However, it could be anything under the floorboards. So I have to remove the board nearest to the damp mark and see.

Cheers,

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

@PrenticeBoy - Thanks for your suggestion. The more I looked at other forums, the more I am worrying about it's the T&G type of chipboard and extends across two rooms. Then I might have to saw it! Other people have suggested circular saw, hole-saw... etc. Hope I don't need those

I doubt very much that you will be able to lift the floor without cutting into it!
I use a circular saw and multi tool to form the cuts.

 

[HERTS P&D]

I do a lot of work for insurance companies, when I can't see a leak, I always cut a neat hole in the ceiling below. If the leak is bad enough the ceiling will be replaced anyway. It is also very quick to do and find/isolate the leak.

Andy