How to Remove Vinyl Flooring, Lino and Vinyl Tiles
Summary: Information on how to remove Vinyl Flooring, Vinyl Tiles and Lino.
There is only one tool for this job and its below. Its hard work however you attempt it and despite many years of trying we have never found an "easy" way. Click on the image to buy.
The tiles or lino should come up relatively easily with this floor scraper but, in most cases you will still be left with some nasty adhesive on the floor. To remove this is a long and painful business and can either be done (if the adhesive has gone rock hard) with a hammer and bolster chisel (the smaller pieces you attempt to break off, the better) or by following the instructions below.
Once the tiles are off, the only method we have found which successfully removes most (not all) adhesives is to warm it gently with a hot air gun.
When the adhesive starts to go soft, it can be scraped off. You will still have a small residue left on the surface and this can usually be removed by rubbing very hard with a cloth, or green scouring pad, dipped in solvent thinners.
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Hot air gun |
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Stripping knife |
Make sure you are wearing rubber gloves for this job and safety specs may not be a bad idea as solvent can splash. Solvent thinners can be bought from your local DIY store.
If the adhesive is particularly well stuck you can lay ceramic or quarry tiles over the top of it. If you choose to do this then a good coat of undiluted PVA adhesive is a very good idea. See our project on PVA. Laminate flooring, or timber flooring can also be laid straight over the floor as long as the floor is not uneven and a good quality underlay is used.
All project content written and produced by Mike Edwards
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