Just finnished removing my 3/8" plywood underlayment from my old Lino only to leave a 6"X6" grid of hundreds of 1.5" staples. YIKES

Do I have to remove every staple or can they be pounded into the wood? There must be hundreds of them.

If they have to be removed, is there an easier way to remove them than with pliers? How do the pros do it?

You can cut them off with wire cutters, and beat in what's left.

Sometimes a spud bar will peel them out.

A high speed angle grinder with a whiz wheel will make quick work of them

Ditto Dynodaddy. It is the fastest regimen I have found. I have used a 4in, but my big ole monster like welder dudes use will run through them like you are sanding with an edger. Eezy peezy, I tell ya whut.

You can use a pair of dikes if you like, but you had better clear your calendar. You are gonna be camping out for a while. It is less than fun.

A grinder, on the other hand, is fun, fast and fireworky all at the same time.