How to Remove Linoleum and Mastic from Wood Flooring

In this article you will learn how to strip old linoleum and the mastic underneath the linoleum from an existing floor.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Pot for boiling water
• Stiff scraper
• Wheelbarrow or trash barrel
• Scoop Shovel
• Old Towells
• Power Sander/Belt Sander
• Gloves
• Razor Knife
• Dust Mask

1. The Most important step: Put on your gloves and dust mask, especially if the linoleum contains asbestos.

2. First, make a cut in the linoleum in order to get an area to hold on to as you peel. Use the stiff scraper to get underneath in order to get a good grip. Peel with the seam if there is one, if not peel in the direction it was glued, and/or the direction of the wood grain underneath the linoleum. Once all of the linoleum is peeled, you will be left with what looks like tar paper covering the floor. This is a combination of the mastic and the adhesive that glued the linoleum to the floor.

3. To remove the mastic and adhesive you will need boiling hot water (don't waste your money on expensive adhesive remover, water works best). Take the water and pour it on the mastic. Let it sit for a few minutes to soak in (However, don't let it sit for too long as this could potentially warp the wood underneath).

4. Once the water in soaked in, take the stiff scraper and scrape on the mastic (it gets very gooey, and smelly). This is very time consuming as you can only do small areas at a time, but it is quite effective. This is where your shovel and trash barrel comes in handy to get rid of the gunk.

5. When most of the mastic is removed, use the sander to get the rest of it off (50 grit paper works best).

6. Finish by sanding with a finer grit. You are now ready to stain and varnish to your desire.

Tips & Warnings

• Have towels ready to soak up excess water
• linoleum and mastics used to contain asbestos, always wear dust mask.