how do you remove old linoleum and glue from the top of a plywood sub floor?

Answer 1

I started a job like this once and had half the lino up before I learned that you can just go over it with the new floor. So, I got some floor leveling compound to "rise up" the area that I had already pulled off in order to get everything level again.

If going over it with peel and stick tiles, I would recommend priming the floor in order to achieve better adhesion.

If cement board is in order, because you are going with ceramic tile... you can get cement board as thin as 1/4" so that you don't raise the floor so much that your counters become noticably short. Thinset those boards, then staple or screw them into the underlying floor.

Good luck!

Answer 2

It takes a LOT of scraping to get all the glue up from an old lino floor. You would be better off just going over it.

If you are going to install laminate flooring, you dont need to do anything, just follow the directions on the laminate, using the proper pad/felt.

If carpet is your flooring of choice, you can put your foampad down right over the lino, with carpet tack around the edges of the room.

Now, if you plan on installing some kind of tile, vinyl or ceramic, then you will want to install an underlayment. Thin luan underlayment will work just fine for vinyl tile, but you should stick to cement board,, if you wan to install ceramic tiles. =)
Have Fun!

Answer 3

There is no good or easy way. It will require a lot of scrapping and you will not be happy with the result. Tear out the old plywood and put down new.

Answer 4

If you really want to do the job well, remove and replace the subflooring. Otherwise leave it there and cover it.