Linoleum Removal Tips

When it comes time to buy new flooring, you can save money by removing the old flooring yourself, but if you have old linoleum on your floors, you may be in for a big challenge. Depending on the age of the linoleum and the type of adhesive used, it can be extremely difficult to get up.

First of all, it is unlikely that you will be able to remove linoleum and adhesive at the same time. Consideration should be given to the surface beneath the linoleum and the damage it could cause, especially if that surface is wood. Concrete floors can take a lot more in the way of rough treatment. The type of scraper you use has a lot to do with your success, as well as the damage to the floor below. Many people use paint scrapers, but the ones with a razor blade are usually more efficient. Be prepared to break a few blades if the adhesive is tough and you’re working on concrete.

Try cutting the linoleum into strips or sections rather than removing the entire piece at once. This will make it easier to get a leverage advantage. Of course, the linoleum probably won’t come out in nice neat sections, so be prepared to deal with a lot of leftover backing and glue still attached to your floor.

One way to deal with those residues that just won’t come off is to apply some type of solvent or remover. A popular brand is Krud Kutter, which seems to do very well based on customer feedback. Follow the directions on the label of any product you use and wear gloves to protect your hands. Do one small section at a time, then move on to the next.

Another technique is to use boiling water and pour it directly over the backing and adhesive. Let it soak and then scrape. If you don’t want to use water, you can try heating the glue with a hair dryer or heat gun. Pick a very inconspicuous area, like behind a door, to test it out. Heat the adhesive with the hair dryer and scrape with a straight blade scraper (such as a stiff putty knife with a beveled edge). Move the scraper in the direction of the wood grain if you are baring a hardwood floor. Have a saucepan or some other container handy to drop the scrapings into, one that is unlikely to melt or ignite when in contact with hot materials. Be very careful if you are using a heat gun as it can easily damage the flooring underneath if it is wood.

If things take a turn for the worse and you’re left with some stubborn adhesive on your floors, it might be time to sand. Of course, if your floors are hardwood and you plan to refinish them, you will still need to sand them, but during this step you must be careful not to damage the particular area by keeping the sander on it for too long.

Once you’ve finally pulled up the linoleum and all traces of adhesive, you’re ready to seal the floor as recommended for your flooring type and apply new flooring as recommended!