Floorboard Lifting

[handyman11]

I am going to be lifting some old floorboard and want to minimise damage as will be getting them sanded and finished. Planning on using a multi tool to cut the tongue, as thought that would be neater and easier to control than one of those electric reciprocating saws. Once I have one board up I am thinking the next board will be easier, but presumably the tongue between the next board and the the board after that (third board), will still need to be boken as when I pry the second board up so that the nails come out of the joist, the tongue would break wouldnt it. Presume no way of avoiding that.

Lastly, has anyone used a dedicated floorboard lifter like the Ansell one? Was going to use pry bars to pry and wedge it up, but wondering if a tool like that will make things easier.

 

[Why Not Indeed]

presumably the tongue between the next board and the the board after that (third board), will still need to be boken as when I pry the second board up so that the nails come out of the joist, the tongue would break wouldnt it.

It depends. I wouldn't bet on it. Timber has some flex and give to it. They may not have been made with close tolerances.

 

[ree]

OP,
Why not post a pic - a pic might show a good place to start lifting?
If you need to cut the tongue off then only do it once to one board - then begin prying up.

To pry, its best if you can get a slim "pry bar" of some sort under any outside edge board - lift very slightly in three or four close spots - then slip some kind of wedges in.
Repeat until you can get, say, a flat bar under the board, & gradually ease it up. Keep wedging.
Gently pull & push & lift & the board will come free. The next boards will come up much easier.
Snip or cut any nails that show as you slowly prise the next boards up

SF do an 8" Pry bar # SF 8640V - and check out: Mini nail pullers.
There's no need for an expensive floorboard lifter.

 

[Dereekoo]

Prise the board up 10mm or so then knock back down and hopefully the nails will be left sticking out proud and they can be pulled out