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Hi,

My wife and I have recently bought a new house which has laminate wood
flooring in most rooms. We have subsequently realised that the central
heating pipework requires replacing in several rooms.

Clearly in order to perform the work on the pipework part of the
laminate flooring will have to be lifted. We like the flooring and
think it would be a shame to lose it. The previous owner has informed
us that the laminate flooring is of the type that is reusable (from
B&Q), however, I am unsure what is the best approach for lifting the
laminate without damaging it. (Unfortunatley The previous owner could
offer us no assistance with this.)

I've had to remove mine a couple of times for access below the floor. It was
not long after it had been laid so the boards were probably easier to do.

You want to start with the boards that have been laid last. Chances are it
is the boards that have been cut length wise.
Remove any beading around about them.
It would probably be easier if there were two of you.
Insert something between the row you are about to lift and the gap between
the skirting board in order to get a grip of the boards. A screw would
probably do. It is only to lift it enough so you can get your fingers in.
Lift the complete row up towards a right angle to the row the boards are
attached to.
The boards should come away when you have lifted them about 45 degrees.
As you remove a row or two you might find you have enough room to remove the
boards individually.
Also I would put a sticker on the corners of the boards before you lift them
and number them so you know the order they go back down in.
You probably don't need to number the boards that are full size and haven't
been cut but it would save any hassle in the long run.
I would personally replace the boards individually rather than in rows the
way they came up.

http://www.armstrong.com/resflram/na...icle25824.html
has a picture of a board being laid. You would just do the opposite to lift
it. i.e. lift the row to that angle and the boards should then come out.

That site also has advice about lifting boards in order to repair some.

If you google "how to install laminate flooring" chances are some of the
sites will also have sections about removing it.

I'd also buy a packet of new boards in the off chance you damage some while
lifting them. They might be reasonably solid when laid but are brittle when
loose.
I remember having to return 7 packets to B&Q after noticing they were
damaged when I got them home. I think it was me lifting them in to the car
but can't be positive.

Steven.