How To Remove Linoleum Floors The Right Way

Removing floors is a tough job, but it is often the first essential step to putting down the new flooring of your dreams. When it comes to removing linoleum, this can be an incredibly laborious process. To find out the best way to go about it, House Digest spoke exclusively to Joel Ruiz, Owner of Ruiz Renovations LLC, who stated, "I prefer to save my back and knees and use a rental floor scraper, if the job is big enough." For smaller projects, Ruiz suggested use a scraper, a heat gun, and a set of pliers to help you get a good grip.

While heat guns may be the answer to your kitchen cabinet transformation, you may not want to get intimately acquainted with it while crawling around the floor. We can't blame you. Luckily, every project is different, according to Ruiz. In fact, whether or not you need to remove the linoleum may be up for debate, depending on what you plan to put back down. But if you do decide to remove the old flooring, how you go about it will also depend on the specifics of your individual project.

When you start contemplating replacing your old linoleum, the first thing you ask yourself is whether or not you even need to remove it. Sometimes, linoleum can be so glued down that you may need to remove a piece of the subfloor along with it. Other times, however, you may be able to get away with leaving it behind. "If I am using tile, then it is not so much of a concern if the linoleum comes up or not since it can be hidden underneath the new tile floors without any noticeable change in height," Joel Ruiz explained.

However, not all flooring types are that forgiving. Speaking exclusively to House Digest, Ruiz said, "If new linoleum is going down and there is some left over bits or chunks that won't come up, I would recommend cutting out and replacing a section of subfloor if necessary as the unevenness of the subfloor will show through and be noticeable." Among the things to consider when choosing a floating tile floor is that it can often be installed over old floors, making the removal process unnecessary. If you have to remove the flooring, though, our expert has some tips for you.

Don't lock yourself into one mindset when you approach your old linoleum. Flexibility will be key to success. "Consider a few plans of attack and try what works best for you," said Joel Ruiz. "Using heat to melt the adhesive or a chemical reaction (adhesive remover) is all up to your discretion. But try different methods if one is not working for you."

However, Ruiz warned, "If you choose to use an adhesive remover, use it with caution as some of the products can be harmful to your exposed skin, wear safety glasses, gloves, and safety goggles to stay safe!" Of course, as Ruiz already mentioned in his exclusive conversation with House Digest, you can also rent a floor scraper to make the job a bit easier. If you decide to use a heat gun and scraper, find a corner — or use a utility knife to cut an opening — to start pulling the linoleum up. From there, just start melting and scraping. And if you haven't already chosen your new floor, consider the best flooring options for your home recommended by HGTV stars.