Tools Needed

• Gather a pry bar, claw hammer, screwdriver, circular saw, gloves, eye goggles, trash bags/can and a heat gun. Make sure you use a blade in your circular saw that you don't mind damaging, because the blade may come in contact with the cement floor. Put on your gloves and eye goggles before starting the floor removal project. You may also want to solicit some help with cutting and pulling up the flooring.
  
  

Removing the Hardwood Flooring

• Start by removing any baseboards and trim from around the edges of the floor. If you plan on saving the baseboard and trim, remove them carefully and place them in another room or area. Using a circular saw, cut into the hardwood flooring to see what the thickness is of the flooring. When your blade hits the cement, stop and pull the saw back and set your saw to that thickness. Work in sections and cut with the flow of the wood. Be careful not to cut into the cement floor, and work slowly to avoid accidents. Use a pry bar and hammer to pull up the flooring. Keep working in sections until the floor is removed. Dispose of the old flooring as you remove it by packing it in a trash bag or can.
  
  

Cleaning the Cement Floor

• After you have removed the hardwood flooring from the cement sub-floor, sweep the area with a broom and then vacuum with a shop vac to remove any dust, dirt and debris. Next, mop the cement floor with mild detergent and hot water to break up any glue or adhesive left behind from the hardwood flooring. Make sure you mop in the corners as well. Let the floor dry for at least an hour. Then, using a heat gun or hair dryer, heat a putty knife and use it to scrape up any remaining glue or adhesive fragments. Sweep and mop the floor again to remove dust and debris before installing your new flooring.