How Do You Remove Old Floor Coverings?
Generally speaking, old floor coverings should always be lifted before laying new ones. Old floors coverings include vinyl, linoleum, and cork tiles. This also provides an opportunity to inspect the floor itself and to carry out any repairs that may be necessary. There are some situations where it may not be practical or necessary to lift an existing floor covering – for example, where vinyl tiles have been laid over a concrete floor and they are firmly stuck to it. Stripping such a large area will be an extremely time-consuming job unless a professional floor tile stripping machine is hired. Woodblock or wood strip floors should be lifted if damaged or loose, otherwise cover them by pinning on hardboard sheets. The backing of old foam-backed carpets may remain stuck to the floor surface after the carpet has lifted. Scrape and brush it up, and also remove any remaining staples and remnants of seaming tape. To lift vinyl tiles or sheet vinyl that has been stuck along edges and seams, us
