One of the biggest challenges that homeowners face is removing old linoleum. It’s a daunting task, but there are tricks you can use to make the job a little easier. The level of difficulty really depends on several underlying factors, like the type of adhesive and the age of the linoleum. If you’re putting down a new floor it may be easier just to leave the linoleum intact, especially if it’s solidly bound and not cracked or heaving. If it needs to go, you’re in for a big job.
It would be great if the linoleum and adhesive lifted together, but that’s usually not the case. Taking up the old flooring is usually the easiest part of the job, and the real work begins when you’re faced with a layer of adhesive. Concrete floors can withstand heavy scraping, but wood floors require a more gentle touch. Many home renovators use razor blades or scrapers to take up the old adhesive. Be prepared to stock up on supplies. The adhesive can be so tough that it actually snaps metal blades.
If you try to remove everything at once, you’re in for an ever bigger and messier job. Try cutting the linoleum into sections or strips. Then, peel the smaller pieces away. Using this method, you should be able to remove most of the surface layer of linoleum along with a good portion of the backing. It’s also easier to get at the underlying adhesive when you use this method.
When the top layer is removed and you’re down to bits of adhesive, it’s time to get scraping. There are a few options to clean away the old glue. According to consumer reviews, Krud Kutter and other chemical solvents can make the job easier. If you decide to use any of these products, make sure that you read the instructions carefully. Be sure to wear gloves and a ventilation mask. Work one small area at a time before moving on to the next.
Other home repairers report success with using nothing more advanced than boiling or very hot water. The water can be poured directly on the backing and adhesive, a small area at a time, left to soak, and then scraped up. Alternatively, you can fold an old towel and lay it on top of a section of adhesive, pour boiling water over it, let it set, remove and then scrape.
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.
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.
It’s almost impossible to remove every bit of old adhesive from a hardwood floor, and excessive scraping will most certainly damage the wood. Remove as much as the adhesive as you can by using these methods, and then clean the floors. Take a look and consider your nest step. A light sanding may be in order, or you can try scrubbing the remaining residue away with rags and solvent. Turpentine and mineral spirits can get the job done. If you’re planning to lay a new covering over your cleaned wood floor, do yourself a big favor and remember to seal the wood before applying the new adhesive.
