How to Remove Vinyl Linoleum

Removing a linoleum floor can be challenging because of the glue that is applied to the subfloor to holds the linoleum. It can take several hours to remove this type of flooring.

Things You'll Need

• Variable speed drill
• Phillips head drill bit
• Flat head drill bit
• Box knife
• Flat bar
• Hammer
• Floor scraper

Instructions

Preparation

1. Use your drill and Phillips or flat head drill bit to remove any screwed down transition strips between doorways. You may also need to pry the transition strip up. Use your flat bar to remove the transition strips if there are no screws holding them down.

2. Use your box knife to cut the caulking across the top of the baseboard to prevent the caulking from tearing the paint on your walls. Use your flat bar and hammer to remove the baseboard. Place the edge of the flat bar onto the top edge of the baseboard. Use your hammer to tap the flat bar to loosen the baseboard from the wall. Pry out as the flat bar slides behind the baseboard.

3. Use your box knife with a sharp blade to cut all the way across the flooring from end to end, at least every 8 inches. This will make it easier to get the linoleum up. Slide your floor scraper under the edge of the linoleum. It is easier to start at the doorway.

4. Pull the linoleum off by hand as you loosen it with the scraper. As you remove the linoleum the backing will still be stuck to the floor. Use your scraper to remove as much of the backing and glue as possible. You may have to force the scraper to get the backing and glue to come off of the subfloor.

5. Use a chemical stripper for linoleum if you cannot get the glue to come off of the floor. If you use a chemical stripper, wear a respirator and open windows to allow ventilation. Read the instructions that come with the stripper to see how long to let the stripper sit on the glue before you can scrape it off.

Tips & Warnings

• When using a chemical stripper, wear a respirator and protective clothing; the vapors are extremely harmful. Make sure that you read and follow all instructions on the container.

References

• Removing Vinyl Flooring