| Are you thinking about removing linoleum in your | | | | boiling water to soften the adhesive. Working one |
| home? It's not easy, but doable. Removing linoleum | | | | section at a time, pour the water directly onto the |
| from your home can be quite a task, a lot of it | | | | backing and adhesive. Leave it to soak, and then |
| depends on how old the linoleum is, and the kind of | | | | scrape up the softened debris. Another option is to |
| adhesive that was used to fasten it down. | | | | lay a folded towel over the adhesive, pour the boiling |
| Sometimes, if it's solidly bound, and not cracking or | | | | water, let it set and then begin scraping. |
| heaving, people decide to leave it underneath | | | | Direct heat is a great way to soften old linoleum |
| whatever else they are laying down. Nonetheless, | | | | adhesive. Find an inconspicuous area of flooring, and |
| most home owners choose to start from scratch, | | | | use a hair dryer and putty knife to scrape away the |
| and that means a lot of elbow grease, no matter | | | | glue. On hardwood floors, you must push the scraper |
| which method of removal you decide on. | | | | in the same direction as the natural grain of the |
| To start with, it's unlikely that you'll be able to just | | | | wood, or you'll be left with a damaged floor. Keep a |
| remove the linoleum and adhesive all at once. What's | | | | durable pan nearby to hold the scrapings, and be sure |
| under the linoleum can be part of the problem, | | | | that it won't melt or burn if it comes in contact with |
| especially if it's wood. Concrete floors can withstand | | | | the heat source or hot materials. |
| a lot more in the way of rough treatment, including | | | | You may wish to move up to using a heat gun after |
| the type of scraper you use. Most people will use | | | | you become comfortable with this process. If so, be |
| paint scrapers, although scrapers with a razor blade | | | | careful not to overheat the wood and char it. You |
| are usually more efficient. Be ready to break some | | | | should also know that using this technique may allow |
| blades it if the adhesive is hard, and you're working | | | | some of the softened mastic to flow into the joints |
| on concrete. | | | | between the floorboards. Keeping the heated area |
| Don't try to remove everything at once. Instead, try | | | | small, constantly moving the heat source and scraping |
| cutting the linoleum into strips or sections, and peeling | | | | as quickly as possible will all help improve the |
| them away. You should be able to remove most of | | | | outcome. |
| the surface layer and a good portion of the linoleum | | | | Bear in mind that this trick will never remove all of |
| backing. Using this method also makes it a lot easier | | | | the old adhesive. Trying to scrape up all the old |
| to get at the underlying adhesive. | | | | adhesive is likely to damage the wood. Scrape up the |
| After the top layer is taken up and you're down to | | | | amount that will come up readily, sweep and vacuum, |
| scraps, you have options for removing the adhesive. | | | | and consider your next step. In some cases a gentle |
| Chemical solvents such as Krud Kutter can be | | | | sanding may be best. In other cases you may be |
| effective. Research these products and read the | | | | able to scrub enough of the residue off with rags |
| customer reviews. Follow the instructions on the | | | | dampened with turpentine, mineral spirits or some |
| product label carefully, and wear protective gloves | | | | similar solvent to get the floor ready to refinish. If |
| and a mask. Work with a small area at a time and | | | | you were going to apply a new covering that |
| take a breath of fresh air before moving to the next. | | | | required new mastic, seal the wood and go ahead. |
| Some home renovators have had success using | | | | |