How To Remove Sheet Vinyl From Wood Subfloor

Asbestos removal is a hazardous process best undertaken only by a qualified professional.

How to remove sheet vinyl from wood subfloor.

For sheet flooring or rolled flooring or vinyl flooring tiles that are larger than 2x2 feet square you will want to score the flooring into 12 inch strips to make it easier to handle and pull up. If you are removing the original vinyl floor from a home prior to 1980 you will need to locate a licensed asbestos abatement contractor to test your floor. Use a flat pry bar and long handled floor scraper to scrape up all the vinyl tiles. Remove plywood linoleum or vinyl floor together.

Discard the old tiles. Starting at a threshold use a wood chisel and wide stiff blade putty knife to pop loose one vinyl tile. To remove the linoleum and subfloor together drill a hole through the floor to determine how thick the plywood is. With a freshly sharpened five in one tool force the sharp end between the sheet vinyl and subfloor in jabbing strokes.

The goal is to have a wooden subfloor. To do this measure and cut the plywood to fit your room. Arrange the plywood on the first layer of wood. Do not line up the second layer with joints in the first layer.

As you chisel use your other hand to keep peeling back the sheet vinyl. If the adhesive is old you will discover that the tool chips away the adhesive fairly easily. For most subfloors you will need to add an extra layer of wood. If you remove vinyl flooring but the glue remains lodged on the subfloor try this.

When you install your vinyl on a wood subfloor the top plywood should be a minimum of 1 4 thick. Combine warm water and soap in a bucket then apply it liberally to the glue allowing time for the mixture to. Wood subfloor measure and cut 1 4 inch or thicker plywood with a circular saw to fit the entire floor of the room where you are installing vinyl flooring. The best way to tear out vinyl flooring is to pull up the vinyl and then go back and remove the remaining glue and pieces of flooring.