Linoleum is a durable, easy to maintain flooring that has been used for over a century in the more utilitarian or high-traffic areas of a home--the kitchen, hallways, pantry or laundry room. If you are removing linoleum as a floor covering because it's worn, outdated or being replaced with another floor finish, the procedure not only involves removing the surface material, but the adhesive used to hold it in place, as well. The method of cleaning the floor of the linoleum adhesive will remove the material and leave the floor ready for installing the new flooring.
Instructions
Hot Water Method
1. Strip the linoleum from the floor by cutting it into strips approximately 18 to 24 inches wide using a utility knife or linoleum cutter. Peel the cut strips from the ends to pull the material free of the floor surface. The linoleum material can be softened for removal using very hot water poured over the floor surface or with heat applied using a heat gun.
2. Fill a bucket with hot water, then pour or mop the hot water over a small area of the floor surface and let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes to begin softening or dissolving the adhesive. The hot water can be applied over cotton towels spread over the floor area to help contain the water and concentrate the heat, then removed and rung out for reuse.
3. Remove the softened adhesive using a straight-blade floor scraper in long, even strokes. Collect the removed adhesive material and discard.
Solvent Method
4. Strip the linoleum from the floor by cutting it into strips approximately 18 to 24 inches wide using a utility knife or linoleum cutter. Peel the cut strips from the ends to pull the material free of the floor surface. The linoleum material can be softened for removal using very hot water poured over the floor surface or with heat applied using a heat gun.
5. Spread a small amount of full-strength solvent over a floor area approximately 3 to 4 square feet and allow the solvent to sit for 10 to 15 minutes to soften the adhesive material. Solvents that remove linoleum adhesives range from mild, such as mineral spirits, to very strong, like paint remover.
6. Remove the softened adhesive using a straight-blade floor scraper in long, even strokes. Collect the removed adhesive material and discard.
Tips Warnings
Some older types of linoleum adhesive are impervious to hot water softening and, for these types of adhesives, heat or a more aggressive solvent must be used. The solvent needed can range from mild, such as mineral spirits, to very strong, like a paint remover, depending on the age and type of linoleum adhesive used. Test the type of solvent needed by applying a small amount to insure it effectively softens or dissolves the linoleum glue, but does not damage the floor surface.
If a heat gun is used for the removal of the adhesive, work over small areas to keep the adhesive softened.
Make certain the room has proper ventilation and breathing protection is worn if the solvent method is being used to remove the linoleum adhesive.
If the linoleum was installed over a hardwood floor that is being refinished, take care not to gouge or damage the floor boards with the scraper as the adhesive is being removed.
Tags: remove, linoleum, adhesive, floor surface, linoleum adhesive, over floor, adhesive material, adhesive material discard, adhesive used, adhesive using, adhesive using straight-blade, adhesive using straight-blade floor, adhesive using straight-blade floor scraper
Related Posts:
Recipe For Homemade Denture Adhesive
Dentures are sets of artificial teeth designed to fit inside the mouth. They are worn by people who no longer have their natural teeth. When natural teeth are removed, the jawbone begins to deteri...
Remove My Hp Pavilion Dv7 Hard Drive
The HP Pavilion dv7 notebook is an entertainment notebook computer that has the hardware capability to function as a desktop PC. It comes standard with one hard drive but has an additional bay for...
Remove Cigarette Odor
Remove Cigarette OdorCigarette odor is unpleasant at best and at worst it causes physical discomfort and illness. Unfortunately, the residue odor of cigarettes is hard to eliminate. The odor is so...
Remove Blood Stains From Sheets
Remove blood as soon as possible.Stains on sheets are never pleasant to deal with, but removing blood stains from sheets can be particularly burdensome. Tossing the sheets in the washing machine d...
Remove The Thermocouple In A Heat & Glo Fireplace
When the pilot will not stay lit on your Heat Glo fireplace, it might be necessary to remove the thermocouple for cleaning or replacement. The Heat Glo uses two burner tubes with a thermocouple in...
