Linoleum Removal is Not Easy

Few projects in life are as satisfying as restoring an older home to its original glory. But if your restoration involves the removal of old linoleum, the project quickly becomes extremely challenging. Taking up old linoleum and removing the adhesive is a huge job, but there are steps you can take to make it a little easier. The age of the linoleum and the type of adhesive can certainly make your job more difficult. Some people simply lay the new floor over the old linoleum, while others dig in with tools and plenty of elbow grease to get the job done.

To start with, it's unlikely that you'll be able to just remove the linoleum and adhesive all at once. What's under the linoleum can be part of the problem, especially if it's wood. Concrete floors can withstand a lot more in the way of rough treatment, including the type of scraper you use. Most people will use paint scrapers, although scrapers with a razor blade are usually more efficient. Be ready to break some blades it if the adhesive is hard, and you're working on concrete.

One piece of advice is not to try and remove everything at once. Many people instead cut the linoleum into strips or sections, and peel that off. You should pull up most of the surface, and likely a good portion of the backing. Doing it this way will make it easier to get at the adhesive underneath as well.

After the top layer is taken up and you're down to scraps, you have options for removing the adhesive. Chemical solvents such as Krud Kutter can be effective. Research these products and read the customer reviews. Follow the instructions on the product label carefully, and wear protective gloves and a mask. Work with a small area at a time and take a breath of fresh air before moving to the next.

Boiling water can be used to soften the underlying adhesive. Try pouring very hot or boiling water directly on the remaining backing and adhesive, section by section. Give the hot water a few moments to sink in, and then scrape the softened glue. You can also fold an old towel over the adhesive and pour the hot water onto the towel. Let it set, remove the towel and scrape.

One method that may help you remove linoleum, then, is to heat it. Select a very inconspicuous area, such as behind a door, to try it. Heat the adhesive with a hair dryer and scrape it up with a straight-blade scraper (such as a stiff putty knife with a beveled edge). Push the scraper in the direction of the grain of the wood if you are uncovering a hardwood floor. Keep a pan or some other container handy to drop the scrapings into -- one that is unlikely to either melt or ignite when coming in contact with hot materials.

A heat gun can be a great tool in removing old linoleum adhesive. You'll need to be careful not to scorch or char the wood. It's also important to know that this method can cause softened adhesive or mastic to creep into any of the natural crevices and the cracks between floorboards. Work a very small area, with a constantly moving heat source. Scrape as quickly as possible for best results.

Bear in mind that this trick will never remove all of the old adhesive. Trying to scrape up all the old adhesive is likely to damage the wood. Scrape up the amount that will come up readily, sweep and vacuum, and consider your next step. In some cases a gentle sanding may be best. In other cases you may be able to scrub enough of the residue off with rags dampened with turpentine, mineral spirits or some similar solvent to get the floor ready to refinish. If you were going to apply a new covering that required new mastic, seal the wood and go ahead.

Author Ramona Mackgil loves contributing to a variety of popular web sites, on home builder and lowes home improvement themes.
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