Removing Paper Backed Vinyl Flooring

Cut out the subfloor and linoleum or vinyl flooring as one piece.

Removing paper backed vinyl flooring.

Asbestos vinyl sheet flooring can be more dangerous to remove than tiles if proper precautions are not practiced. To remove any remaining backing apply heat to the floor in small sections using a wallpaper steamer a heat gun or even a hair dryer. Remove the underlying paper backing and or adhesive. Use a heavy duty scraper to remove the old vinyl image 2.

If you are ready to upgrade your existing floor you will need to remove the old vinyl first. Remove linoleum or vinyl flooring. Asbestos vinyl sheet flooring has two layers a top layer of vinyl and a bottom layer made from paper that contains asbestos. In some circumstances you can install new flooring such as laminate flooring hardwood or engineered flooring over vinyl flooring as long as it is in good condition.

Glued down linoleum and vinyl flooring can be removed from a wood floor without causing too much damage to the wood. We are told that the paper layer can contain from 40 to 70 percent asbestos. It removes any old varnish as well which saves a lot of sanding back. The old vinyl will probably come up in small pieces and in some areas the paper backing separates from the vinyl itself and remains on the floor.

To remove old resilient flooring first cut it into parallel strips about 6 inches wide with a utility knife. It is hard work. You can leave it for hours and come back to it to and stays as a gel coating so helps contains fibres. To remove old vinyl remove the transition strips image 1 that hold the carpet in place.

Use a hammer to tap a stiff putty knife or brick chisel under the linoleum to break it loose. Use a scraper and a chisel to loosen large gobs of glue. Linoleum is a resilient floor covering made of a combination of linseed oil cork and limestone. Vinyl flooring is a popular option.

Cut the vinyl flooring into strips using a utility knife. It can be installed over many. How to remove linoleum tile adhesive paper from wood floors.