How To Remove Formica Countertops Without Damaging Cabinets

Using a hammer remove the formica top from the wood or plywood that is under the formica.

How to remove formica countertops without damaging cabinets. Use a drill to remove the screws and then the countertops should lift right off. Remove the drawers from the cabinets and set them in an out of the way area. Clear off all appliances. Use hammer to knock the back to remove laminate from the wood.

Place a bucket under the sink to catch remaining water and disconnect the drain pipe. Unplug and move appliances. Unscrew the board from the wall. This is a very time consuming process especially if the formica is heavily attached to the plywood with glue.

Before you remove the countertop always get rid of any items that are sitting on top. Most countertops are bracketed to the base cabinets. This is the preferred position because the force of gravity will cause the glue solvent to cut through the glue bond as gravity pulls the lacquer thinner downward. We started by removing the tired old countertop.

Disconnect the water lines from the faucet using an adjustable wrench. If the counter is attached to the base cabinet with nails or an adhesive use a pry bar to remove it. How to remove a kitchen formica countertop 1. Remove the laminate covering.

How to remove old countertops without damage the backsplash. After that you should be able to easily lift the countertop without damaging your cabinets. Wedge the straight edge of the hammer underneath a spot between the formica and the plywood. Our countertop was a custom homemade job and the old diy er who originally attached this countertop really attached it if you know what i mean.

Key tip before. Implement the buddy system. Use a pry bar to remove the countertops. Remove all items from the cabinets beneath your countertops.

Turn off the water to the kitchen sink using the shutoff valve below the sink. Turn off the water and gas supply to the kitchen. The necessary steps for stripping formica off of a cabinet or counter top are best performed if the surface of the laminate is in a vertical position. Check underneath your cabinets to see if your kitchen countertop is held in place with screws.

Put the claw of the pry bar under the rim of the counter and press down on the free end until the countertop begins to lift up. Countertops can also be held in place with brackets nails or additional adhesive. Place crow bar or straight edge between the laminate backsplash and the wood. The way you go about this without damaging the cabinets will vary depending upon the way that the original countertop has been attached.