How to Remove Old Linoleum & Glue a From Wood Floor
Sometimes when you want to renovate a floor, the linoleum will lift off readily. But sometimes you get sections that stubbornly remains glued, or even an entire floor. Lifting the old linoleum and removing the glue off wooden floors is a simple project homeowners can do themselves without hiring a costly professional. Removing the linoleum and glue without ruining the wood floor below can pose a challenge, but it's possible without using harmful chemicals. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Utility knife
- Paint scraper or putty knife
- Hammer
- Boiling water
- Towel
- Trash bag
- Sandpaper
- Mineral spirits or turpentine
- Steamer
- Bucket
- Hot water
- Heavy-duty green kitchen scrubber pads
- Cloth
Instructions
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Removing Linoleum with Hot Water
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1
Cut the linoleum into 12-inch strips with a sharp utility knife. Be careful so you do not cut through and ruin the wood floors below.
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2
Work a paint scraper or putty knife under the linoleum and pull the linoleum up. If you can’t do it by hand, tap the paint scraper handle with a hammer. Gently pry up the linoleum and pull pieces off the floor. Remove all the linoleum from the floor.
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3
Boil some water on the stove. Working in one section at a time, pour boiling water over the remaining glue. Allow the hot water to penetrate the glue for three minutes or more to soften it.
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4
Scrape the softened glue from the floor with the paint scraper or utility knife. Don’t scrape too hard, or you will ruin the wood floor. If you don’t want to pour the water onto the floor, lay a folded old towel over the glue and pour the boiling water onto the towel. Leave the towel on the glue for three minutes. Remove the towel and scrape the glue away.
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5
Place the glue scrapings into a waste container. Continue until you have the entire floor finished. You probably will not remove all the glue from a hardwood floor.
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6
Sand the remaining glue away lightly. An alternative method is to use mineral spirits or turpentine and scrape or scrub the remaining glue away.
Removing Linoleum With a Steamer
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7
Follow steps 1 and 2 in the previous section.
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8
Warm the steamer for about 25 minutes.
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9
Lay the steamer applicator onto a section of the floor for one to 1 1/2 minute.
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10
Move the steam applicator to another section of the floor while you work on the section you just steamed.
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11
Fill a bucket with hot water. Dip a kitchen heavy-duty green scrubber pad into the water and scrub the area.
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12
Wipe the area with a wet cloth. Repeat as necessary.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Do not leave the steam cleaner on an area too long or you will scorch the floor.
Do not dig into the wood with the paint scraper or putty knife or you will ruin the floor.
Wear a respirator if your linoleum and/or glue have asbestos, or if you aren't sure about it.
Some old adhesives and linoleum, if they were installed before 1970, may have trace amounts of asbestos. Check with your state regarding the removal and disposal regulations.
