How to Remove Old Ugly Linoleum
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.
In a perfect world, the linoleum and adhesive would lift together. Unfortunately, that’s just not likely. You won’t know what’s in store until you remove the initial layer of linoleum. If the underlying floor is made of concrete it can be relatively easy to remove the old adhesive. Wood floors, however, present a much bigger challenge. Most people use paint scrapers or razor blades to remove the old adhesive. This is fine on concrete, but wood floors require a gentle touch. Old adhesive can hard enough to damage blades and scrapers, so be prepared to stock up.
Don’t try to remove everything at once. Instead, try cutting the linoleum into strips or sections, and peeling them away. You should be able to remove most of the surface layer and a good portion of the linoleum backing. Using this method also makes it a lot easier to get at the underlying adhesive.
Once you are down to the scraps, there are two basic methods to aid your scraping efforts. One is to use some kind of solvent or remover. A popular brand is Krud Kutter, which appears to work very well, according to the customer feedback comments. Follow instructions on the label of whatever product you employ, and wear gloves to protect your hands. Do a small section at a time, and then go on to the next one.
Some home renovators have had success using boiling water to soften the adhesive. Working one section at a time, pour the water directly onto the backing and adhesive. Leave it to soak, and then scrape up the softened debris. Another option is to lay a folded towel over the adhesive, pour the boiling water, let it set and then begin scraping.
Direct heat is a great way to soften old linoleum adhesive. Find an inconspicuous area of flooring, and use a hair dryer and putty knife to scrape away the glue. On hardwood floors, you must push the scraper in the same direction as the natural grain of the wood, or you’ll be left with a damaged floor. Keep a durable pan nearby to hold the scrapings, and be sure that it won’t melt or burn if it comes in contact with the heat source or hot materials.
Some people use heat guns with great success. You can easily soften old adhesive with a heat gun, but you must take care to avoid charring or scorching the wood. This method will melt the old adhesive or mastic and, as a result, the liquids can melt into tiny cracks and crevices in the wood. Concentrate your efforts to a very small area at a time. Keep the heat gun moving constantly, and remove melted adhesive right away.
It’s virtually impossible to remove every bit of old adhesive from a hardwood floor, and too much scraping can easily damage the wood. Use the above methods to take away as much old adhesive as possible. Then, take a break to consider your next step. Some people choose to lightly sand away any remaining adhesive, while others use mineral spirits and turpentine to scrub it off. However you choose to clean your wood floors, remember this important final step: seal the wood to protect it before you lay any new adhesives or coverings.
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