How to do a Proper Vinyl Floor Removal
By Jose Grimbot
The hardiness and long-lasting qualities of vinyl flooring make it a favourite option for a lot of homeowners. However, even the hardiest floor can become damaged with the wear and tear over the years.
Out-of-date and old unsightly floors are also some of the reasons for homeowners to resort to a vinyl floor removal project.
Whatever the reasons may be, vinyl floor removal needs huge reserves of perseverance and patience to do it right. For one thing, damaging the subfloor underneath means repairing it before new flooring can be laid down on it.
Steps to do a Proper Vinyl Floor Removal
Proper flooring removal means being careful to avoid damaging the subfloor underneath. Here are some of the steps to do it right:
Take out all the appliances/furniture/things in the area
Appliances, furniture, and other things placed on top of the vinyl flooring have to be taken out of the area before anything else.
Take out all baseboards and trim
Baseboards and trim lining the floor have to be taken out. Prying the trim and baseboards using a flathead screwdriver can make you use them again after the installation of the new flooring. If this is the option, set aside the baseboards and trim after removing the nails from them.
Take out all staples, tacks, and nails
Feeling along the vinyl’s edge can make you see if the floor was stapled, nailed or tacked. A claw head hammer or a small pry bar can easily take out all staples, tacks, and nails from its edge. This must be done to make pulling the floors up easier. It’s best to have a disposable container beside you for safe discard of the items.
Start pulling up the flooring
Find out an unglued area of the vinyl flooring by checking along its corners. When the spot has been determined, use a floor or utility knife to cut a width of 12-inch strips of the flooring.
Pull the vinyl slowly using the strips made. Areas that have been applied with adhesive or glue can be pulled up using a scraper.
Use water and soap for stubborn areas
A mix of water and soap can easily remove stubborn adhesive sticks. The trick is to allow the mixture to stay a few minutes on the area before using a scraper to pull up the vinyl. Removing adhesive and glue should be carefully done as you move along the area.
It’s the right time to remove any small pieces of vinyl using a shop vac when the majority of the vinyl flooring has been taken off.
Remove remaining glue and adhesive
A hairdryer or a heat gun can help loosen and soften any remaining glue and adhesive on the floor. Remember to be careful in applying heat and scraping off stubborn adhesive and glue to prevent damaging the subfloor underneath.
Do a second vacuuming
Vacuuming the floor for the second time is needed after all the glue, adhesive, and vinyl flooring has been removed. Check the subfloor for signs of damage. Subfloor damage has to be replaced or repaired before applying new flooring.
As mentioned, it takes huge amounts of patience to remove old vinyl flooring. It can be a challenging task that can become expensive when damage is caused to the subfloor underneath. Hiring a professional for
vinyl floor removal from Impact Flooring provides a seamless new flooring experience
