Mistakes when removing old linoleum
It may seem to some that removing old linoleum is quite simple, but in fact there are a number of rules, without which dismantling will turn into a real problem. Initially, it is worth pointing out those actions that are strictly prohibited when removing linoleum.
You should not experiment with how to remove old linoleum, since the wrong approach can affect the health of an inexperienced worker. It is unacceptable to wipe the layer with sandpaper, drill it, split it, or force it to be cut out with sharp objects.
The reason for this is that when the coating is damaged, dust of harmful components from the substrate and adhesive mixture used when laying the floor covering is released into the air. We are talking about asbestos fibers and quartz particles.
The entry of such impurities into the human body can cause respiratory diseases or cancer. Allergy sufferers are completely prohibited from carrying out work on removing old linoleum, since each harmful component can cause an attack of suffocation.
Dismantling old linoleum
If we are talking about how to remove old linoleum correctly and without health consequences, then it is worth saying that this procedure is an extreme case. This can be avoided by laying a new floor covering directly on the linoleum or by restoring the existing flooring for further use.
In many cases, linoleum acts as an excellent base for laying other floor coverings. In the photo, the floor will look no worse than when the same materials are laid on top of a screed or a joist base.
Basic rules when dismantling old linoleum:
- When carrying out work, it is necessary to use a powerful household or industrial vacuum cleaner with a high-quality filtration system. The generated debris and dust cannot be swept away with a broom or brush, since a certain part of it will get into the air;
- If we are talking about how to remove glued linoleum, then you can only use liquid detergents. The same rule applies to the felt base of the coating. It is prohibited to use dry substances;
- waste generated during the dismantling process should be packaged in thick plastic bags and taken to specialized landfills where disposal of such materials is permitted.
Rules for removing old linoleum glued to the floor
In cases where the material does not meet the criteria, when it is dirty, affected by mold or mildew, or has a huge amount of dust and damage, then its dismantling must be carried out without fail. If no glue was used when laying the floor covering, then to remove linoleum from the floor in most cases it is enough just to remove the floor plinth and roll it up.
If you need to remove material from a concrete or other base, you must adhere to a number of the following rules:
- During dismantling, use a powerful household or industrial vacuum cleaner with a high-quality filtration system. The use of a broom or brush to remove emerging debris and dust must be avoided, since when used, some of it will penetrate into the air space of the room, which may cause it to settle on other surfaces that may not be immediately cleaned.
- When removing glued linoleum, it is imperative to use a cleaning solution and not tear off the material in a dry state, which is especially important if it has a layer of felt.
- Flooring that contains hazardous asbestos or quartz particles should never be removed by chipping, cutting, drilling or sanding.
- Removal of old linoleum should be carried out in a room in which there is a flow of fresh air. In addition, during work it is mandatory to wear a respirator, as well as safety glasses and gloves.
- Dismantled pieces and strips of old flooring must be well packed in tight polyethylene bags. After completion of the work, they must be taken to a special landfill where construction waste is disposed of.
The preparation of a solution for dismantling glued linoleum should be carried out by mixing water with a household detergent intended for washing kitchens, floors and similar purposes. Add 100 g of cleaning composition to 1 liter of liquid. After thorough mixing, for ease of further use, the finished solution can be poured into a spray bottle.
In addition, before moistening and starting to remove the floor covering, it is necessary to carry out preparatory work. The first step is to remove all furniture, appliances and other items present in the room from the room, and then thoroughly vacuum the old linoleum using a hard nozzle. Finally, you need to remove the baseboards, after which you can begin the main work.
Alternative measures
It was already said above that before removing the old linoleum, it is worth considering whether it is possible to abandon this idea and use this coating in some other way.
There are several alternatives to how to remove old linoleum glued to the floor with your own hands:
- laying new material on top of the existing layer (we are not just talking about linoleum);
- the old coating, as already mentioned, can be restored or leveled using a special mixture;
- You can lay sheet materials as a leveling layer for the subsequent laying of selected materials.
Thus, as soon as a material to replace linoleum is selected, you can read in detail the instructions for preparing for its installation and, without removing the rolled material, prepare the subfloor for cladding.
How to remove linoleum from a concrete screed
Removing linoleum glued to concrete is somewhat more difficult. But this task is not impossible. Here are step-by-step instructions on how to remove linoleum from a concrete screed.
To dismantle the old flooring you will need:
- Acetone
- Medium spatula
- Sharp scraper
- Boiling water
- Latex gloves
- razor knife
- Cement or floor leveler
Step #1
Use a razor knife to cut the linoleum into small rectangles. This will make your work much easier. Use a scraper to pick up a piece of linoleum and see if it comes off. If the linoleum gives in, consider yourself a happy person. This means that you can easily remove the floor covering. If the tiles do not budge, use a sharp scraper and acetone. The floor covering will be more difficult to remove.
Dismantling tool kit
Before tearing off the glued linoleum, you need to prepare a full set of tools for this work:
- personal protective equipment: goggles, gloves and respirator;
- durable scraper with a sharp metal blade;
- multifunctional knife used in construction work, also with ideal blade quality;
- powerful vacuum cleaner with a good filtration system. It must have a wet cleaning function and power, like that of industrial units, in order to reliably remove any remaining dust and debris from the coating being removed;
- compact sprayer;
- high-strength plastic bags for garbage disposal;
- high quality detergent. You can use aggressive chemicals that are not allowed for use when caring for normal linoleum.
The process of removing old linoleum
Having collected all the tools and studied the features of the procedure, you should learn how to remove linoleum from a concrete floor glued in the standard way to an adhesive mixture:
- as is expected when carrying out any renovation work, all furniture and appliances are removed from the room in order to completely clear the floor and provide access to the entire area covered with linoleum;
- then a detergent solution is prepared in the following proportion: 100 grams of dry matter are added to 1 liter of water. The resulting solution should be filled into the sprayer;
- at the first stage, the surface is cleaned using a vacuum cleaner with a hard nozzle (metal);
- Every 20 centimeters, parallel cuts are made half the thickness of the linoleum sheet.
Further work should be carried out with an assistant, so that one person can remove strips of material, while the second distributes the detergent over the entire surface of the floor. Synchronicity of actions will avoid the release of harmful dust into the air, which will protect workers.
You can evaluate the correctness of the work yourself by paying attention to the condition in which the felt base of the linoleum sheet is located. If it is well moistened, then everything is done correctly. You cannot remove 4 or more strips at the same time, and it is also not recommended to leave areas uncleaned from the felt layer for a long time. When removing each next layer, the worker himself must be either on an already clean floor or on linoleum that has not been removed.
After removal, all residues are packed into garbage bags for further disposal to a landfill, where disposal of this category of waste is allowed.
How to easily remove linoleum
In most cases, during any repair work, the old coating is removed and removed. This applies to wallpaper, colorful coatings, and linoleum. The process of removing any coating is quite labor-intensive. However, it must be completed in order to continue the repair work. If you try hard and approach the issue wisely, the result will be amazing.
By following our advice, you can easily get rid of the old coating and continue renovations indoors. For the work you will need a vacuum cleaner, preferably with a metal nozzle, a sharp spatula, as well as a soap solution with the addition of washing liquid and garbage bags for disposing of the old coating. Let's get started
First of all, we vacate the room: we take out furniture and appliances, remove all kinds of lintels and stucco molding, and remove corners. Once the room or area is ready for use, prepare a solution of detergent and warm water. To make it, take 100-200 ml of detergent and dilute it in one liter of water. For convenience, pour the resulting solution into a spray bottle or spray bottle.
After this, you can begin preparing the coating itself. Vacuum the linoleum before removing it. It is advisable that the vacuum cleaner nozzle be metal. Then, at a distance of 10-20 cm, make cuts parallel to each other on the top layer of linoleum. How to remove old linoleum
Begin removing the old coating by removing each strip in turn. First, carefully remove the top layer of linoleum. At the same time, during work on removing the coating, constantly moisten it with a warm soapy solution, which was prepared in advance from a detergent. Wet the peeling area especially well among the cuts made, this will reduce the likelihood of dust getting into the air. The felt layer of linoleum should also be well moistened. This will allow you to remove it easily and without much effort in the future. Remember that you can remove no more than 2-3 strips of coating at a time.
After removing the top layer, proceed to remove the lower layers in the same way. Gradually, and most importantly, carefully wet and remove the linoleum. Use a putty knife for those areas that stick to the floor or are not removed the first and second time. Scrape them in the opposite direction.
Once all the covering has been removed, begin removing the felt residue. Wet the remaining material with a solution of detergent and water and wait until it is completely absorbed. Scrape off the felt with a putty knife and then vacuum the floor surface thoroughly. Now the floor is completely ready for a new coating.
Useful tips for dismantling
It is worth pointing out some useful nuances when carrying out work that may be useful:
- It is necessary to quickly pack the removed layers in plastic bags and not move around the remains after removing the next strip in order to preserve your own health. In such a state, materials release much more harmful substances, and it is worth protecting yourself;
- After work, shoes should be washed thoroughly or use those that can be thrown away upon completion of dismantling. Each plastic bag should be labeled with a warning that it contains materials that emit asbestos dust;
- To remove layers firmly glued to the substrate, use a stiff metal brush. It is only correct to remove the backing from the linoleum, and not vice versa;
- After removing every three layers of coating, it is necessary to clean the floors from the felt base using the prepared detergent. The material is generously wetted and scraped off with a scraper;
- After cleaning each area, vacuum it and clean the entire floor in the same way. In this case, an ideal base will be obtained, a photo of which can be presented to specialists to evaluate the work planned for the future.
Bottom line
After carrying out all the above steps in the correct sequence and following the basic recommendations, a high-quality cleaned base will be obtained. The health of the employee will be safe. If you lack confidence in your abilities, then it is best to turn to specialists who will carry out the work faster and provide the customer with a clean site for further repair work.
