How can I safely remove the black foam from the chipboard without causing harm to my shoulder, and do you have any alternative flooring suggestions that won’t require cutting around the brick hearth?
Oh man, I had this grand plan to rip up the carpet and paint the chipboard with deck paint, but there’s this stubborn black foam stuck to it that just won’t budge no matter how much I scrape. I tried using a wire brush on a drill, but my shoulder can’t handle doing the whole 30×13′ room like that.
My husband found some affordable flooring, but it’s going to be a nightmare to cut around the brick hearth where the pellet stove is. I thought about taking out the bricks that touch the floor and replacing them with wood so it’s easier to work with the flooring, but I’m not sure if that’s safe in terms of fire hazards.
I’m feeling way in over my head with this whole project. Any suggestions on how to get rid of the black foam? And any ideas for cheap flooring that would avoid the headache of cutting around the hearth?
Using a 4 inch wire cup on an angle grinder will easily get the job done. Make sure to use the twisted wire cup to prevent wires from flying around. ‘t forget to grab a contour gauge and a skill saw for cutting around the stones – it’ll make the task a breeze. If you need more guidance, check out the how-to videos on YouTube for these processes.
Why don’t you rent a floor chipper from Home Depot or Lowe’s? Take a load off your feet.
A contour gauge seems like a good idea. If you want to avoid cutting around an uneven shape, you could consider creating a small self-leveling concrete border. The border frame would be nice and straight.
Or create a notch at the base to allow for the floor to fit underneath.
Head over to a smaller, local carpet supply store instead of a big-name chain like Home Depot or Lowes. These big stores tend to charge more to cover their advertising costs. Ask the family-owned shops if they have any discounted remnants or excess flooring from large jobs. They often sell these materials at a discounted rate. Plus, they typically offer more affordable installation services. Indoor/outdoor carpet is a budget-friendly option that doesn’t need padding. Consider checking out any deals they might have on cheap LVP – it’s a bit more expensive but worth the investment!