what is the best way to remove old linoleum?

Question

We are going to be putting in ceramic tile. We tried to pull up the old linoleum but it just seemed to tear up the top layer and leave a thick layer of paper and sticky stuff that seems impossible to scrape up.....I also have small kids and pets that I dont want to use harsh chemicals if I dont have to

It is on a slab

Answer 1

Get a long handled scraper - it's not easy but it can be done.

Answer 2

Without chemicals -- you didn't say what it was laid on - cement, plywood.....you can get a floor scraper , about 6 inches wide with a long handle ending in a Tee, this works better on cement , plywood sometimes "shaves off" . You may have to use a heat source , Heat gun , or blowtorch to warm the adhesive before scraping , but be very CAREFUL with any flame and use only in a well ventilated room. If it is really stuck down you could just take off what will come and use a floor leveling compound before putting down the cement board.

Answer 3

Go to your local u-rent-it store and rent a floor scraping machine. It has a 10" blade on it that vibrates like mad and works right through the stuff. Only use it on a floor with a concrete substrate though. The machine was designed to remove VCT tile but it works well for this also. Here is link to what one looks like. http://glodix.com/comptile.htm

Answer 4

As long as I've been in the trades I'm still amazed that LINO seems to be what everyone asks about. I guess it still exists, but I haven't seen any in 40 plus years.

A decent Home store will be able to advise about types of floor scrapers, some heavy duty, some even with handles allowing the user to stand while they scrape.

An easier way might be sacrifice an inch in height from floor to ceiloing, and add a subfloor. I'd suggest concrete backer board sheets, remove base moldings, set the board, use thin set to seal seams, check level, add the tile mortar in steps, set the tile, grout, re install the cove base, and enjoy.

Steven Wolf

Answer 5

if you can find the thickness of the sub floor, you can take a skilsaw and set the depth and cut the floor into manageable chunks, then pop the whole thing up, plywood and lonoleum together, then put new subfloor down. if its 3/8's ply, just set your saw to that, do your cuts, then rip it up with crowbars. theres going to be all sorts of nails and crap to dig out. other than that, you can use ice chippers and flat shovels to dig it out. its a tough job tho

Answer 6

rip it out...put new down