Floor Removal (Damaged Sections) — Step-by-Step SOW
Purpose:
Remove water- and mold-damaged flooring and compromised subflooring (east side of building), protect adjacent occupied areas, document conditions, and prepare surfaces for Phase-2 reinstallation. Work includes testing, temporary structural stabilization (if required), safe removal, disposal, moisture control/drying, and verification.
Scope:
Remove affected finish flooring and all damaged or unsound subflooring in identified areas; preserve & salvage reusable materials where practical; stage and secure removed materials; test and document substrate moisture and structural soundness; set conditions for reinstallation in Phase 2.
Standards & Assumptions
Work to follow industry standards (IICRC S520 for remediation where mold involved, applicable local building codes).
Third-party IH will perform air/moisture testing before and after removal if required.
Reinstallation (new finish flooring) is Phase 2 — this SOW covers removal, temporary stabilization, drying, and acceptance for future installation.
All installation of new flooring will follow manufacturer specifications (adhesive and moisture limits).
Roles & Responsibilities
Owner (Restoration Hall): Provide access, coordinate occupant notifications, accept deliverables.
Contractor (Floor Removal/Restoration): Provide labor, equipment, containment, debris handling, moisture monitoring, site protection, and documentation.
Industrial Hygienist (if engaged): Pre/post testing, moisture mapping, clearance as required.
General Contractor (Phase 2): Reinstallation of new flooring after Phase 1 clearance.
Step-by-Step Tasks (numbered)
1) Pre-Removal Assessment & Inventory — (2–4 days)
Perform visual inspection and moisture mapping of all flooring areas called out for removal (east side areas).
Identify finish types (wood, vinyl, VCT, carpet, adhesives), subfloor type (plywood, OSB, concrete) and extent of damage.
Photograph and map areas, note salvageable items (trim, thresholds) and hazardous materials (mastic suspected of containing asbestos or lead paint — test if unknown).
Produce a removal plan with sequence, access routes, and temporary egress considerations.
Deliverable: Assessment report + marked floor plan.
2) Notification & Occupant Protection Plan — (1–2 days)
Notify occupants/staff of schedule and affected areas; post signage.
Establish protected walkways and barriers to isolate work zones.
Plan for temporary relocation of residents if required by health/safety/IH recommendations.
Deliverable: Notice log + protection plan.
3) Containment & Dust Control Setup — (1 day)
Install protective measures: temporary walls/zipper doors, negative-pressure HEPA exhaust (if needed), dust barriers at openings.
Cover vents and isolate HVAC serving work areas; coordinate with IH if HVAC shutdown is required.
Use sticky mats and shoe covers at egress points.
Deliverable: Containment verification checklist and negative-pressure readings (if used).
4) Hazardous Materials Screening & Handling — (concurrent)
If old adhesive/mastic or flooring age suggests asbestos/lead risk, perform testing before removal.
If hazardous materials present, follow regulated abatement protocols and hire certified abatement contractors for that portion.
Deliverable: Lab test reports and abatement plan (if needed).
5) Removal of Finish Flooring — (variable; typical 3–7 days for partial building area)
Carefully remove finish flooring (tile, VCT, hardwood, carpet, vinyl) using methods that minimize dust (wet methods where appropriate, HEPA-filtered equipment).
Salvage and label any reusable finish materials requested by Owner.
Bag and stage debris in sealed containers for disposal.
Deliverable: Daily removal log with photos.
6) Subfloor/Decking Inspection & Removal of Damaged Subfloor — (3–7 days)
Inspect exposed subfloor for rot, delamination, mold contamination, and structural integrity.
Remove damaged subfloor sections back to sound construction (cut and remove affected plywood/OSB/boards).
If structural members (joists, blocking) are compromised, note for structural repair (this may require additional scope).
Deliverable: Subfloor condition report with repair recommendations and photos.
7) Temporary Stabilization & Safe Access — (1–3 days)
Install temporary subfloor decking or cover plates to allow safe temporary occupancy/use of spaces where necessary until Phase 2 reinstallation.
Secure floor penetrations and stair edges; install temporary thresholds.
Deliverable: Safety sign-off and temporary access photos.
8) Moisture Drying & Monitoring — (3–14 days, overlapping)
Deploy commercial dehumidifiers and airflow equipment to dry subfloor and framing to acceptable moisture levels.
Record daily moisture meter and hygrometer readings at multiple monitoring points.
Continue until moisture content meets acceptance criteria (see Testing & Acceptance below).
Deliverable: Moisture log with readings and trend chart.
9) Surface Prep for Phase 2 — (1–3 days)
Clean and HEPA vacuum all exposed surfaces; remove dust and contaminants.
Apply any required antimicrobial / primer treatments if IH recommends (document product SDS).
Install backer or underlayment only if specified in Phase 2 plan (or leave in clean, dry, documented state).
Deliverable: Prep checklist and photos.
10) Post-Removal Testing & Acceptance — (2–5 days)
Conduct moisture testing and (if required) surface air/dust sampling by third-party IH.
Owner or Owner’s rep performs visual inspection and approves condition for temporary occupancy or Phase 2 work.
Acceptance Criteria: moisture content at substrate within manufacturer’s install limits (typical target: ≤12% MC for wood-based subfloor or per flooring manufacturer); visual cleanliness; no active mold growth; IH clearance (if used).
Deliverable: Acceptance report and clearance certificate.
11) Waste Disposal & Documentation — (ongoing during removal; final)
Maintain chain-of-custody for waste; produce disposal manifests and receipts.
Provide complete removal documentation: daily logs, photos, test results, equipment lists, and disposal paperwork.
Deliverable: Final removal report package.
Testing & Acceptance Criteria (measurable)
Moisture content (MC): Subfloor wood MC ≤ 12% or per manufacturer’s spec before any new flooring installation. (If adhesive or manufacturer requires other thresholds, follow that spec.)
Relative humidity (RH): Room RH stabilized and not above levels that risk re-moisturization (IH to advise; typically RH < 60%).
Visual: No visible mold, staining, or active water intrusions.
IH clearance: If mold contamination was present, third-party clearance acceptable limits per IH report.
Owner sign-off: Owner signs acceptance once documentation and testing are satisfactory.
Safety & PPE
Workers: gloves, eye protection, disposable coveralls, N95 or P100 respirators (or higher when dust is present).
Use HEPA-filtered vacuums and local dust suppression.
Ensure electrical safety (lockout/tagout where tools used) and fall protection near drops/edges.
Follow asbestos/lead protocols if tests indicate presence.
Environmental & Disposal
Segregate material types (wood, tile, adhesive) where required by disposal rules.
If hazardous materials (asbestos/lead) are present, use certified hazardous materials haulers and disposal sites and include manifests.
Recycle salvageable materials where practical and documented.
Timeline Summary (typical for east-side partial building removal)
Assessment & prep: 3–6 days
Finish flooring removal: 3–7 days
Subfloor removal & repairs: 3–7 days
Drying & monitoring: 3–14 days (depends on moisture levels)
Testing & acceptance: 2–5 days
Total (typical): ~2–6 weeks (area & severity dependent; sequencing with mold abatement may extend duration)
Deliverables (require in contractor proposal)
Pre-removal assessment report & marked floor plan.
Daily work logs and photo documentation (before/during/after).
Waste manifests and disposal receipts.
Moisture monitoring logs (daily readings).
Subfloor repair recommendations and records of temporary stabilization.
Third-party test reports (if applicable).
Final Removal & Acceptance Report with Owner sign-off.
Contractor Selection Checklist
Experience with commercial flooring removal and moisture-damaged subfloor replacement.
References for similar commercial projects.
Proof of insurance (GL, WC) and, if required, hazardous materials endorsements.
Ability to provide HEPA equipment, dehumidification, moisture logging, and containment.
Willingness to coordinate with IH and general contractor for Phase 2.
Provide line-item pricing: assessment, removal, subfloor disposal, temporary stabilization, drying equipment rental, moisture testing, and documentation.
Cost Guidance (high level)
Costs vary by material removed, subfloor type, area size, and disposal needs. Require 3 bids and insist on itemized pricing (removal, disposal, patching, drying equipment, testing).
Quick SOW Sentence (paste into RFP / contract)
“Contractor shall remove finish flooring and all damaged subfloor in designated areas (east side), provide temporary stabilization, dry and monitor substrates to industry and manufacturer-specified moisture limits, perform necessary subfloor repairs, dispose of debris legally, and produce full documentation and third-party testing results for Owner acceptance prior to Phase 2 reinstallation.”