Vinyl floors look great when you first have them installed, but unfortunately, they are very susceptible to wear and tear over time.
Repairing old, damaged, or yellowed floors often cost a lot of money. So many owners want to get rid of them completely.
This article is intended to guide you on removing glued-down vinyl tiles. The process sounds complicated, but you need to follow these steps:
- Clean the area.
- Remove the trim.
- Remove the flooring center.
- Cut the vinyl into strips.
- Dispose of the adhesive from the floor.
- Refine the old floor.
For more detailed step-by-step instructions, read on with Gluecare.
Things You’ll Need
Before we start working, you need to prepare some tools as follows:
- Pliers.
- Flat pry bar.
- Hewing chisel.
- Heat gun.
- Putty knife.
- Floor scanner.
- Utility knife.
This job is not easy. You also have to work with a lot of dangerous tools. So, take care of your safety. We also recommend that you equip the safety equipment:
- Gauze mask.
- Protective pants.
- Work gloves.
Unloading and disposing of these linoleum sheets will require more storage space than conventional trash cans. You can rent a 10-yard dumper to remove bulky tools, especially when working in an ample space.
How To Remove Glued Vinyl Flooring: Step-By-Step Guides
If you are ready and fully equipped, we will enter the central part of the article. Follow the instructions to know how to remove glued vinyl flooring tiles easily.
Cleaning The Working Area
Before you want to make any significant changes to the room’s overall look, clean it up once. Get rid of bulky items in the room so you can reach the work area unobstructed.
Removing The Flooring Trim
Removing the trim (link)
Many households have chosen to install circular trim to cover the gap between the floor and baseboard. You need to remove them before proceeding to remove vinyl flooring.
Use the flat end of the pry bar and gently pry the quarter-round trim.
Another common scenario is when baseboards are installed above the floorboards. Like the former, you will need to remove the baseboard altogether if you want to remove the linoleum panels.
Place a wooden block against the wall so that it is a few inches above the baseboard. Use the flat end of the pry stick to get between the border and the wall.
If your hand is strong enough, you will most likely be able to pry it off with just a few quick movements. Those who need extra support can use a rubber hammer or mallet to hit the top of the pry bar.
Continue doing the above movements and pry the trim vertically.
Please don’t do it too quickly and in haste. You can inch and peel off every centimeter slowly. It will keep the trim layer intact for reuse if necessary.
Removing The Flooring Center
Usually, you will quickly notice the construction crew gluing linoleum or vinyl panels vertically. It means only about 6-inches of the board is glued down, and the center section usually stays the same.
Understanding this makes removing vinyl flooring easier.
You can start by using a utility knife to cut through linoleum or vinyl when measuring 10-inches from the wall. In the process, you should move parallel to the wall.
Continue using the knife to cut the center section into different strips.
Cutting The Vinyl Into Strips
The deck strips you are removing should range in width from 12-18 inches and a few feet in length. You should keep them medium-sized for easy portability and fold if necessary.
A utility knife will play a massive role in this process. It helps you to trim and subdivide floors.
While the idea of keeping a large sheet of vinyl sounds appealing, they are far from feasible. If you don’t intend to reuse or give it to a friend, it’s best not to make it too big.
There are many ways to remove this glued floor altogether. You can choose or use a combination of methods.
Using Pry Bar
Shaving is one of the most effective methods of removing stubborn floors that cling to the surface.
Use a flat scraper chisel underneath the deck to separate it from the coating. Use hand force to push out as much as possible. This method does not work for floors that are glued too tightly.
Using A Chisel
These types of floors need a sharper tool. Using a chisel is easy if your linoleum is old.
You can use your hands to remove the floor during chipping time. Make sure you remove the entire thickness of the floor when chiseling and pulling it out.
Using Your Hand
The most manual method is by hand pulling. It can be a bit laborious but gives the most effect. Whenever you get a grip on the part of the floor, use all your strength to pull it back toward you.
Disposing The Adhesive From The Floor
How to remove adhesive vinyl flooring? Once you’ve finished removing the flooring, you’ll need to remove any remaining adhesive. Remove as cleanly as possible as this will interfere with the installation of your new floor.
This part sounds easy, but it takes the most time and effort.
Start with a heat gun. Please turn it on low and wait for it to warm up. If necessary, increase the setting.
Apply the gun to the glue and wait for it to soften. You should start from the corner of the room to move more smoothly. Next, use a scraper to clean the softened adhesive.
Repeat these steps to remove all glue. Use a clean towel to wipe off the residue on the scraper with an old damp cloth.
The floor will still have a small layer of residue or adhesive film on the surface. You can remove it by rubbing vigorously with a cloth or green scouring pad dipped in solvent.
Refining The Old Floor
Give the floor some time to dry, and we’ll get to the final step of the process.
We recommend renting a grinder or a floor sander to sand the floor to a smooth finish for further refurbishment. Apply several coats of polyurethane to restore the original shine.
Frequently Asked Questions
This section will answer some of your questions regarding how to remove glued-down vinyl flooring.
What Will Dissolve Vinyl Glue Effectively?
Acetone is a solvent suitable for removing materials such as vinyl flooring adhesives from a variety of surfaces. Vinyl floor glue can cause a mess during installation, even if you’re careful, and using acetone can remove the adhesive quickly.
How To Make An Adhesive Remover?
Sometimes the glue on the floor is too stubborn, and you can’t remove it with just a few standard tools. The most effective method is to use specialized chemicals capable of dissolving and removing the glue layer.
For more details, check out the video below.
Final Thoughts
Hopefully, after reading this article, removing vinyl flooring will no longer be a nightmare for you. It can take a while and require a lot of patience, but the results are well worth it.
If you found this article helpful, please share it widely to let everyone know about these tips. Thank you for reading!
Related article:
- How To Glue Pictures On Wood? The Simplest Way To Decorate Your Home (3 Easy Steps)
- How to Glue Glass to Wood: Tips and Techniques for Successful Project
