How to Remove Vinyl Floor Coverings

Remove vinyl flooring and install new flooring to freshen a room's look.

Removing a room's vinyl floor coverings--such as linoleum--and replacing it with a wood or tile material instantly updates the room and adds value to the house. Removing vinyl flooring is easy, and can be done in a few short hours. Once you have the old floor removed, add new flooring material to improve the look of the room. Take safety precautions when pulling up linoleum floor that was installed prior to the 1980s, as it was often attached with asbestos.

Things You'll Need

• Face mask
• Safety gloves
• Utility knife
• Putty knife
• Adhesive remover
• Scraper

Instructions

1. Put on your safety gloves and face mask before beginning to rip up the floor. The safety equipment will prevent you from coming into contact with or breathing in dust or possible asbestos.

2. Score the vinyl floor with a utility knife. Create strips 12 inches wide to make pulling up the flooring easier. Once you score the floor, use a putty knife to pry up edges to begin pulling away the covering from the floor.

3. Remove as much of the vinyl as possible with the utility knife and putty knife.

4. Spread an adhesive remover over the entire floor, according to directions on the packaging. The remover is similar to paint thinner and contains methylene chloride, which will soften glue for complete removal. Allow the product to penetrate hardened vinyl adhesive for the recommended time, then remove it with a floor scraper.

Tips & Warnings

• Be sure to provide the room with plenty of ventilation--especially if you use an adhesive remover.

References

• The Natural Handyman: Removing Vinyl and Linoleum
• Demesne.info: Removing Old Linoleum