Removing Linoleum Floors
Linoleum is a frequent flooring surface to locate in older homes, both because it’s a durable product and because it was used in homes for many decades. Linoleum was invented at the middle of the 19th century and was popular in homes before the middle of the 20th century. It’s sometimes confused with vinyl floors, but they are two different products and are managed differently. If you would like to update a place which has old linoleum, the simplest approach is to pay this up. But if this is not an option, linoleum could be removed with a couple of household tools and a little elbow grease.
Cut 6-inch-wide parallel strips to the linoleum using a utility knife. If the floor underneath is hardwood, concrete or you don’t know what it is made from, use caution to only cut through the linoleum rather than the subfloor underneath. Otherwise, press hard to ensure that you are cutting the linoleum and the adhesive which holds it to the subflooring.
Place a putty chisel under one of those strips which you cut and tap it with a hammer. Continue tapping on the hammer and proceed the chisel across the strip until it breaks loose. If the floor underneath is concrete or wood, use a hair dryer to warm the linoleum and peel the strips up rather than working with a hammer and chisel.
Scrape off the remaining glue using a paint scraper as soon as you’ve removed all the linoleum pieces. If the adhesive is obstinate, or if you want to avoid additional damage to the concrete or wood, use a hair dryer to warm the adhesive as you scratch. If the floor underneath is concrete, soak the glue overnight with a solution of water mixed with dish soap to soften the adhesive.
Sand away any remaining glue residue on hardwood flooring. Remaining glue on plywood or concrete could be scrubbed away with a stiff brush and a solution of dish soap mixed with water.