How to Remove Linoleum From Wood Floors

Linoleum makes for a simple, inexpensive and attractive floor covering that is easy to clean. However, it does wear down over a period of time, so you may be faced with the task of removing the linoleum so that you can replace it or expose the flooring that is beneath. Here are some directions for taking up the linoleum.

Difficulty:

Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Work gloves
• Utility knife
• Flat pry bar
• Chalk line
• Paint scraper
• 4-inch-wide putty knife
• Screwdriver
• Needlenose pliers

1. Remove any metal strip that is present at the edge of the linoleum surface. This will most likely be found at a doorway, where the linoleum butts up against another type of flooring such as carpet or tile. A screwdriver to unscrew the screws is all that you should need for this task.

2. Take up the baseboard or molding that runs around the edge of the room, where the floor meets up with the wall. Usually, there is a piece of quarter-round molding that sits in front of the baseboard and on top of the linoleum. You can take this up with a flat pry bar and a hammer. If you are careful, it can be reused. But since this molding is not very expensive, many people like to replace it with fresh stock. If there is just baseboard on the wall, then you will have to carefully remove it and then reuse the same pieces after the new floor is installed.

3. Divide the room into four quadrants. Take a chalk line (have somebody hold the other end) and divide the room down the middle in both directions, length and width.

4. Cut the linoleum along the chalk lines with a sharp utility knife, moving from one end of the room to the other. Don’t cut too deep. Be careful around toilet bowls and other such objects that stand alone on a linoleum floor. Cut completely around these objects with a knife first, then come back later and pull free whatever small pieces you can with a pair of needlenose pliers.

5. Pull up one quarter of the room at a time. Start at the center of the room and work toward the outside edges. Many times the linoleum will come up simply by pulling on one corner with your hands. If this is not the case, then use a flat pry bar.

6. Scrape the leftover glue and pieces of linoleum off the subfloor. The best tool for this might again be the pry bar, but you might have to resort to a paint scraper if necessary. Go with the grain of the wood and try to avoid marking up the wood, although some scrape marks will undoubtedly come through.

7. Properly dispose of all waste.

Tips & Warnings

• Take out one section at a time, instead of removing the floor as one whole piece.