Any tips on lifting glued down chipboard?

[Marc Rufus]

So. Having brought a new house the misses now wants downlights. Not an issue. Only snag is the boards aren't screwed they are glued down. I've done a few new builds but everything is wired from below so how is the best way to lift the boards? Is it just a case of expect to replace what you have to lift? Will it come up at all? Will I spend weeks scraping glue off the joists?

 

[Squid]

Moral of story, never buy a new build.

 

[Wilko]

Moral of story, never buy a new build.

At least there's no asbestos...

 

[littlespark]

Sticky backed surface trunking between the lights? Saves a lot of mess with lifting floors.

 

[Squid]

At least there's no asbestos...

Lots of MDF in a new I bet, which is carcinogenic its the new asbestos.

 

[Squid]

Serious section now, as its a new build see if you can get hold of the architectural plans as then you will know where the joists are and the noggins so then can plan the cable run, when I did my flat rebuild we where lucky to have enough room to lay a false ceiling with plenty of space to run any additional cables if required.

 

[cliffed]

Make sure they are installed in designated zones ha ha

 

[pirate]

I will add my vote to the board cutter

It's neat, quick, and can be used over and over on all sorts of jobs.
Try to avoid lifting the floor, for all the reasons already stated.

My wife wanted downlighters in the kitchen too...the bedroom above had a fitted wardrobe at one end, so I lifted the floorboards in there and BINGO the joists ran lengthways so it was an easy task to pull the supply into that space, and feed cable to the downlighter holes drilled in the kitchen ceiling, without having to disturb any of the bedroom floor itself. Replaced the boards in the wardrobe, bit of spare carpet on top, job done.

If the joists run the wrong way, then the board cutter, routabout is your friend.