How to Remove Linoleum from Plywood or Concrete Floors

Removing linoleum from concrete can be a difficult task.

When linoleum is laid, it is attached to the subfloor with a heavy-duty adhesive. This helps ensure that the linoleum will not come up once the adhesive cures, but it can also mean trouble when you're ready to change out the flooring. If linoleum has been laid directly on plywood or concrete flooring, the removal process will require a few special tools and techniques to help make the entire project go as smoothly as possible.

Things You'll Need

• Claw hammer or hammer and small chisel
• Pry bar
• Adhesive remover
• Face mask and gloves
• Rough-grade sandpaper

Instructions

1. Remove any floor wall trim or quarter-round to expose the edges of the linoleum at the bases of the walls.Use a pry bar or a hammer with claw or a hammer and small chisel to pry the quarter-round off the wall.

2. Pry up all four corners of the linoleum: Go to one corner of the room and insert your pry bar between the wall and the floor. Pry up the linoleum a few inches, then go to the next corner.

3. Pull the linoleum back. You may need a friend to help you, especially if the adhesive is stubborn. Brace your legs, grab hold of a corner and begin pulling back. Once you reach the center of the room, go to the next corner and repeat the process. Do this until all the corners of the room have been pulled up. Pull off the center portion last. Roll up the linoleum and take it outside for disposal.

4. Apply adhesive remover to the floor. Chances are there may be pieces of linoleum left behind, as well as patches of adhesive. Use a chemical adhesive remover and follow the package instructions. Remember to open windows and wear a mask and gloves, as these solvents can be dangerous.

5. Scrape off the adhesive. Once you have applied the adhesive remover it will begin to loosen the adhesive's bond with the subfloor. Use a metal scraper and begin removing the adhesive. This may take a few tries. Once you are done, allow the area to dry completely before proceeding. Use caution when scraping a plywood floor; You want to leave the wood intact.

6. Sand down any rough spots. If you missed a few spots of adhesive, use a rough-grade sandpaper to sand these areas down. Your subfloor is now ready for its new flooring.

References

• Improve Net: Removing Linoleum from Concrete
• The Flooring Lady: Removing Linoleum and Vinyl Flooring