There are many reasons why you would want to remove that old vinyl flooring. These flooring materials are considered to be long-lasting and durable to a certain level, but they can break or get damaged over time. You may also want to move onto something more modern and appealing. Whatever reason you may have to remove them, it can be a challenging task in pulling them out. Besides, you will have to ensure that you are doing it the right way.
When removing vinyl flooring, it is important to be careful not to cause any damages to the subfloor. If you do, then it will be required to repair it before the new floor is installed. Use these tools and steps to remove your old vinyl floor.
Steps to Removing Old Vinyl Flooring
You will need a putty knife, utility knife, a chisel, sander, respirator, grit sandpaper and gloves for the purpose. It will be better if you have a paint stripper handy.
- Use the utility knife for slicing the flooring into smaller pieces. This will make it easier to remove them. It is recommended to cut them into strips of 8-9 inches width. That will be easier to remove. The putty knife will come handy in removing these strips. Just slide them under the strips and start removing them.
- It may also be required to scrape the vinyl off the floor. In fact, this is usually the case with floors which are fully bonded. In such a case, the vinyl has been bonded to the sub-floor using adhesive. It will be little difficult to remove such flooring.
- Check the sub-floor for adhesive. Use the chisel for removing it. The paint stripper can also be used for the purpose.
- Once the vinyl is removed, you should sand the subfloor. This can be done with the floor sander. Other alternatives include using grit sandpaper or an automatic hand sander. It is essential to leave the subfloor smooth for the new replacement floor. It must be even and clean otherwise the new floor will not adhere to it.
Using Dry Ice
There is another alternative method for removing vinyl flooring. Dry ice can be used as an effective ‘tool’ for removing this floor. This is especially beneficial if your flooring is old and has asbestos in the adhesive. In this case, it is important to wear gloves and protect your hands. Place the dry ice on the vinyl floor and leave it so until it freezes. Now you can remove the flooring with relative ease.
Homes older than 40 years are more likely to have vinyl floors with asbestos laden adhesive. This is why it is recommended to use the right gear when removing such floors. You should use gloves and a respirator. Even the clothes should be disposable – you can always find some old ones that you no longer need. You must also take a shower immediately after the task.
Vacuum the entire floor after the vinyl and adhesive have been removed. Make sure to check the subfloor to find any damages. Chances are that there may be some old damages that existed before the removal.
It is also recommended to leave all the doors and windows open so as to allow proper ventilation. It will be best to leave your kids with the neighbors or with their grandparents until you have installed the new flooring. It is relatively easier to remove vinyl flooring and you can do it yourself. If there’s no adhesive, which is however less likely, the task will become even easier.
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