Installing New Flooring Over Linoleum

Installing new flooring can be a challenging task if you remove the old flooring first. You may not know the damage or condition of the flooring under your linoleum and it may cause you even more problems. The solution is to just lay the new flooring over the old floor.

Things You'll Need

• Hammer Staples Tacks Nails Floor leveling compound Metal trowel and spreader

Instructions

1. Lay the new flooring over the old linoleum. In some cases the old linoleum may be in good enough condition and just a good cleaning of the floor would be needed in order for you to be able to lay the new flooring right over top the old linoleum.

2. Use leveling compound. When the old linoleum floor has many cracks, rough spots or seams in it, you can simply use a floor leveling compound. A floor leveling compound can be purchased at any hardware store. You can either buy it mixed or in the powder form--either way follow the instructions precisely and spread the compound over the entire old linoleum and allow for it to settle and dry. Once it is dry you can lay the new flooring over top of the dried compound.

3. Work on the floor underlayment. Another alternative is to install underlayment over the old linoleum. Underlayment is just a thin rubber pad that can be stapled over the old linoleum. Underlayment is also good for absorbing sound. Once you have the underlayment stapled down and covering the entire old linoleum, you can install the new flooring right on top of it.

Resources

• eBuild website for more information