Linoleum is a flooring surface that is particularly suitable for many environments; you can find it in kitchens, waiting rooms, laundries and meeting rooms. It is easy to apply to the floor slab in two ways: by gluing it over the entire surface or just on the perimeter. In the first solution, the entire substrate is covered with glue, while in the second only the edges are glued. Be that as it may, linoleum removal is a pretty easy task that homeowners can do on their own even if they don't have much experience. Read this article to learn how to do it.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Peel off the Linoleum Cover
Step 1. Clean the area
Remove bulky appliances, furniture and all other items from the linoleum surface.
Step 2. Cut the liner into strips approximately 35 cm wide, using a sharp utility knife
Peeling off small, easy-to-handle strips is a much simpler process than removing large sheets of linoleum in one go.
Step 3. Heat the liner with a heat gun to soften it so it will lift with less effort
To make this material soft and malleable, consider heating one section at a time with the gun. All this will simplify the work.
If you don't own a heat gun, you can also use a hair dryer, although there is a high chance that this appliance won't get enough heat to do the job well. Try it with the hair dryer set at maximum temperature
Step 4. Peel off each strip by hand
Use a 10 cm spatula to lift the edges of each section and then pull it. The hard outer coating should come off smoothly but if the floor has been fully bonded to the slab then you will have large sections of soft adhesive that you will have to deal with.
Step 5. Use a special tool
Alternatively, use a rocking tool you've mounted a stiff scraper blade on. Grease the blade with a little petroleum jelly to prevent it from getting too dirty with adhesive. Then slide the blade under the pre-cut line and lift the section with your free hand. Follow the pre-cut line to peel off the liner. Depending on the extent of the surface you need to clear the linoleum, this technique may be quicker.
Consider renting one of these tools from the large do-it-yourself centers in your area (Brico or Leroy Merlin… just to name a few)
Part 2 of 3: Peel off the Adhesive Paper or Backing
Step 1. Keep in mind that peeling off the sticky paper or subfloor that holds the linoleum layer attached to the slab is a complicated and time-consuming job
The first floors made of this material (before the advent of plywood) were fixed to the slab with a substrate that contained tar. If your floor is very old and the subfloor is very difficult to peel off, it is worth hiring a professional.
Step 2. Consider breaking a small piece of sticky paper or screed to test for asbestos on old floors
Very old linoleum coatings may contain this dangerous material, whether they are in tile or sheet form. Asbestos is made up of very fine fibers that can be inhaled. The law states that the removal of coatings containing it must be done by a certified professional.
- Wear safety goggles and a respirator to prevent any traces of asbestos from coming into contact with your mucous membranes. These protective devices should also be used if you are sure that the floor does not contain asbestos.
- Another way to minimize the risks is to wet the floor before removing it. Dry linoleum releases many particles into the air that could be potentially dangerous. If the slab is wooden, proceed with caution in wetting the floor. Follow the advice of the next steps.
Step 3. Scrape the adhesive or subfloor with a trowel in case of a delicate floor
You will need to apply moderate or very intense pressure depending on the strength of the glue. It is a very long job, but it avoids the risk of damaging the underlying parquet.
You can also try a hot gun or oscillating power tool, just as explained in the previous section. However, it is not easy to slide the blade of the power tool under the glue layer as the heat gun softens the adhesive and allows its removal
Step 4. Try wetting the glue with boiling water if it is more resistant insoles
Wait for it to absorb for about 15 minutes. Remember to proceed with this method only if the slab is concrete or easily replaceable plywood. Wood could warp from water, so be very careful if you want to preserve a fine wood slab.
- Here's how to pour boiling water over the sticker without making a big mess and without flooding the house. Surround the perimeter of the floor with towels that you can easily ruin. Pour the water over the towels and let them absorb it well. The water will still heat the adhesive. Wait 15 minutes before removing the towels.
- You can cut the floor in several places using a sharp blade and pour a special material into the spaces created to detach this type of installation to make the linoleum layer come off.
- Then scrape off the glue with a hand spatula. You need to remove large sections of softened glue because it will come off much easier than dry glue. This way you will work faster and more efficiently.
Step 5. Use a wallpaper steamer if you want to do a "clean" job
You can rent one of these tools from a hardware store or a "do it yourself" shop. Wait for the vaporizer to heat up. Apply the pad with the steam nozzle to the section you want to treat and wait 60-90 seconds. Move on to the next section while scraping the glue from the previous one.
This is a rather quick method when compared to the "dry" ones. It will take less than two hours to detach an area of 10 square meters of adhesive
Part 3 of 3: Finishing the Job
Step 1. Apply a chemical solvent to remove any “stubborn” glue residue
Follow the manufacturer's instructions. Most solvents use the same active ingredient present in those specific for paints. You can buy it in a paint shop.
Step 2. Scrape the solvent-treated glue with the help of a spatula
Since most of the adhesive has been removed with the techniques described above, you shouldn't run into any major problems.
Step 3. Sweep or vacuum the now clean base to remove any debris
At this point it is ready to be covered with a brand new coating.
Advice
New laminate, vinyl or tile floors can be directly glued to the previous floor if it is smooth and adheres well to the subfloor
Warnings
- Floor products and glues used before 1980 may contain asbestos, so you need to take proper precautions when removing, breaking or sanding these materials.
- Make sure there is adequate ventilation and follow the instructions when using chemicals.
