I intend to replace OLD carpets with floating floors. Removing old carpets, old underlays, nail strips - no problem. However, the skirting boards are nailed to hardwood (with the wall plasterboard in between). The nails just cannot be removed with normal tools.
I have tried pliers, drilling the nail (both normal and carbide drills - no luck), drilling away the wood around the nail, crowbars, chisels (to hack away the skirtingboard) without much success. One short piece has been destroyed enough to permit removal, but I need a better method.
Use a jigsaw with metal cutting blade? Awkward to reach some nails - would require dismantling of wall bookshelves.
Use an angle grinder (with what disc?)? What about sparks, especially since there is a gap to the space under the house, between wall and floor?
Use a crowbar and repair and repaint the plasterboards afterwards?
Keeping the skirtingboards and adding another 'skirting' is not acceptable - would look horrible.

I will be grateful for any ideas.


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