Linoleum flooring used to be a popular choice for kitchens, bathrooms, and other high-traffic areas of the home. Made from renewable materials like linseed oil, pine resin, cork dust, wood flour, and pigments, linoleum provided a durable, easy-to-clean surface that could last for decades with proper care.
However, styles change over time. Today, many homeowners prefer other flooring options like vinyl, ceramic tile, or wood. If you want to update the look of a room with outdated linoleum, you’ll need to remove the old flooring before installing the new. Removing linoleum can be labor-intensive, but it’s a project a motivated DIYer can tackle with the right tools and techniques.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to remove linoleum flooring yourself:
Gather the Necessary Materials
Removing linoleum involves prying up and scraping away the flooring until you expose the subfloor underneath. To do this properly, you’ll need:
- Pry bar or putty knife
- Scraper (manual or electric)
- Hammer
- Utility knife
- Eye protection
- Work gloves
- Dust mask
- Knee pads
- Plastic sheets or tarps
- Trash bags
- Mineral spirits (for adhesive removal)
Make sure you have all of these supplies on hand before starting the project. You’ll also need a clear workspace to pile up debris as you work.
Prepare the Room
To access the floors, you’ll likely need to clear out all furniture and belongings from the room. Depending on how the linoleum was installed, you may also need to remove baseboards or quarter-round molding around the edges.
Sweep and vacuum the floor thoroughly to remove all dirt and debris. Any particles left behind could scratch the floor during the removal process.
Lay down plastic sheets or tarps along the walls and corners to protect them from damage. The linoleum will come up in ragged chunks, so the tarps help contain the mess.
Open windows or use fans to ventilate the area if using mineral spirits. Wear eye protection, gloves, and a dust mask to protect yourself from particles released during the job.
Score the Linoleum
Before attempting to rip up the flooring, you need to loosen it from the subfloor beneath. This involves scoring or perforating the linoleum surface.
Use a utility knife to cut diagonally through the top layer only, creating a crosshatch or grid pattern of slices across the floor. The scores should be about 1/8″ deep and 4″-6″ apart. This crosshatch will make the linoleum easier to fracture.
Next, go around the perimeter of the room and deepen the cuts where the flooring meets the walls. Use the utility knife to cut all the way through the linoleum down to the floor below. This helps separate the flooring from the edges for easier removal.
Break Up the Linoleum
With the cuts in place, you can now start ripping up the scored linoleum. This is the most labor-intensive step of the process.
Place the pry bar about 1-2 inches inside the wall and use it to pry up the first corner or edge piece of linoleum. Use hammer taps to help wedge up the material. Grab and peel up pieces with your hands when possible.
Slowly work your way across the room, prying and peeling up sections at a time. Frequently stop to pick up debris and pile it neatly on tarps or in trash bags.
For stubborn areas, use the hammer or mallet to pound the flooring and break apart pieces. Concentrate on fractures and cuts you made earlier.
Larger vinyl sheets may come up in full pieces. Roll these up and dispose of properly. The goal is to remove all of the linoleum down to the subfloor.
Scrape Off Adhesive Residue
Once the linoleum flooring is up, you’ll be left with a layer of black adhesive on the subfloor. This adhesive helped bond the linoleum sheets in place.
Use the manual or power scraper to remove adhesive buildup. Hold the scraper at a 45° angle and methodically scrape the floor to remove residue. Take care not to gouge the subfloor itself.
Areas near walls and corners tend to have thicker adhesive. Use the scraper to aggressively chip this away so it’s flush with the floor. Sweep frequently to remove adhesive debris.
For stubborn spots, apply a small amount of mineral spirits and let it soak for 5-10 minutes. This helps soften the adhesive for easier scraping.
Thoroughly scrape, sweep, and clean until all traces of old adhesive are gone. This can take awhile for large rooms. Be patient and do a complete job to prep for new flooring.
Clean and Dispose of Debris
As you work, regularly stop to pick up debris and contain it on tarps or in garbage bags. Vacuum the area frequently to remove fine particles.
Once the flooring and adhesive is fully removed, do a final thorough sweep, vacuum, and mop. Dispose of flooring debris and adhesive scraps properly at a landfill or hazardous waste facility.
Remove plastic tarps and carefully take up any adhesive or debris stuck to the walls or baseboards. Clean the under-floor space to remove dust and particles that settled during the job.
Inspect and Prepare the Subfloor
With the old linoleum gone, you can now see the condition of the wooden or concrete subfloor underneath. Check for any damage, soft spots, or level inconsistencies.
Use a level to identify any uneven or warped areas. High spots can be sanded down before installing new flooring. Low spots may need patching with a self-leveling compound.
If there are voids, holes, or extensive damage, you may need to replace sections of the subfloor before installing replacement flooring. Take time to make repairs so the new flooring has a smooth, flat surface to adhere to.
Once prepped, the subfloor is now ready for you to install the new flooring of your choice!
Safety Tips
- Wear eye, ear, knee, and hand protection when prying, scraping, and hammering.
- Use proper posture and lift from the legs to avoid back strain.
- Work in ventilated areas when using mineral spirits or scraping adhesive.
- Dispose of debris carefully to avoid cuts. Linoleum can have sharp edges.
- Take breaks often when doing demo work to avoid injuries.
- Keep children and pets away from the workspace for their safety.
With patience and proper preparations, removing old linoleum flooring is a manageable DIY project. Follow these steps to expose the subfloor and get your room ready for its beautiful new flooring upgrade.
Frequently Asked Questions About Removing Linoleum Floors
Removing linoleum flooring in your home? Here are answers to some commonly asked questions about taking up old linoleum floors:
What tools do I need to remove linoleum flooring?
You’ll need a pry bar, floor scraper, hammer, utility knife, eye protection, gloves, kneepads, plastic sheets, and trash bags. A power floor scraper can make the job easier but is not essential.
What’s the best way to loosen the linoleum?
Score the surface with a utility knife in a crosshatch pattern before trying to pry it up. This helps fracture the material so it comes up easier.
How do I get old adhesive off the subfloor?
Scraping and mineral spirits help remove adhesive residue. Be aggressive when scraping near walls and corners where it tends to be thicker.
Can I use a heat gun instead of mineral spirits?
Yes, a heat gun can soften stubborn adhesive for scraping. Take care not to scorch the wood subfloor if using this method.
How long does it take to remove linoleum from a small room?
Plan on at least 4-6 hours for a 10×10 room. Removal takes time due to breaking up the material, adhesive scraping, and debris cleanup.
What’s the hardest part about DIY linoleum removal?
Getting up the first seam or edge can be tricky before you get under the flooring. After that, it’s tiring but straightforward. Go slowly and be patient.
What do I do if part of the subfloor is damaged?
Inspect the subfloor after linoleum removal. Make repairs to damaged or uneven areas before installing new flooring.
Can I put new flooring directly over linoleum?
It’s not advisable. New flooring should go over the subfloor for better adherence. Removing the old linoleum also allows you to inspect for any subfloor damage.
Is there an easier way to remove linoleum?
Power floor scrapers can make scraping off adhesive easier. A floor sander can help sand down stubborn adhesive residue. But there’s no way around the prying and scraping work.
What do I do with the old linoleum pieces?
You can dispose of linoleum debris in the trash. For larger amounts, take it to a landfill or waste disposal site. Check local regulations for proper disposal options.
Removing old linoleum flooring takes muscle but it’s a satisfying DIY project. With the right tools and techniques, you can clear out worn linoleum and get your subfloor prepped for its new cover in no time.
Conclusion
Removing linoleum flooring is an involved process, but with proper planning and preparation, it can absolutely be a DIY project. The key steps are gathering the right tools, scoring the linoleum, carefully prying up each section, scraping away adhesive, and thoroughly cleaning the subfloor. Safety is also critical when demolishing flooring using pry bars, scrapers, and other tools.
While labor-intensive, ripping out old linoleum allows you to refresh the look of a room and install new, modern flooring options you’ll enjoy for years to come. Just take it slow, use proper posture and techniques, and don’t be afraid to call in a flooring professional if any issues emerge with your subfloor.
With some perseverance and muscle, those outdated linoleum floors will be coming up in no time! The end result will be well worth the effort.