Tips for removing linoleum

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 quite a 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 the linoleum and the adhesive at the same time. Consideration should be given to the surface under 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. Lots of 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 hard and you are 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 gain an advantage to pry. Of course, the linoleum probably won’t come off 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 debris that just won’t come off is to apply some type of solvent or remover. One popular brand is Krud Kutter, which seems to work very well based on customer feedback. Follow the instructions on the label of any product you use and wear gloves to protect your hands. Do one small section at a time, and then move on to the next.

Another technique is to use boiling water and pour it directly onto 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. Choose a very inconspicuous area, such as behind a door, to test it. Heat the adhesive with the hair dryer and scrape it off with a straight bladed scraper (such as a stiff putty knife with a beveled edge). Move the scraper in the direction of the wood grain if you are stripping a hardwood floor. Have a saucepan or some other container handy to drop the scrapings into, one that is unlikely to melt or catch fire when in contact with hot materials. Be very careful if you are using a heat gun as it can easily damage the flooring below 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 wood and you plan to restore them, you’ll need to sand them anyway, but during this step you should be careful not to damage the particular area by holding the sander on it for too long.

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