Peggy Epstein is a freelance writer specializing in education and parenting. She has authored two books, "Great Ideas for Grandkids" and "Family Writes," and published more than 100 articles for various print and online publications. Epstein is also a former public school teacher with 25 years' experience. She received a Master of Arts in curriculum and instruction from the University of Missouri.
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Flooring IdeasSUPPLIES
- Commercial heat gun
- Heavy-duty floor scraper
- Putty knife
Overview
So, the redecorating bug has grabbed you and that old vinyl floor just doesn't fit into your plans. Problem: How do you remove the old vinyl so you can install a new modern floor? The truth is you may not need to remove the old floor. If your floor is smooth with no broken tiles, you can just go ahead and lay your new tile on top of the old. However, if your old floor is in bad condition, or if there are several layers of old flooring, you'll probably need to remove the old tile down to the sub floor.
Step 1
Heat the tile with a commercial-grade heat gun. A heat gun looks similar to a hair dryer but gets hotter and is more heavy duty than a hair dryer. There are some inexpensive heat guns out there, but you might want to consider renting a higher-quality one from a home improvement store's rental department or an equipment rental agency.
Step 2
Start by lifting a corner of the heated tile with your putty knife, and pulling the tile loose by hand while applying heat. Repeat on an adjacent tile.
Step 3
Try using your heavy-duty floor scraper once you have a couple of tiles removed. If the old adhesive is brittle, you may be able to work your scraper under the tile and just pop it off. If the adhesive is not brittle, you will have to continue with Step 2 until all of the tile has been removed.
Step 4
Use your floor scraper and putty knife to remove as much adhesive as possible. All of the adhesive does not have to come off the floor, but the floor must be smooth before you begin retiling your floor.
TIPS AND WARNINGS
- TIP : Rent a rotary floor machine with a 60-grit sanding pad to remove stubborn adhesive and make the floor even quickly.
- WARNING : If the tile on the floor was manufactured before 1970, it probably contains asbestos. If this is the case, you must have it removed by a professional asbestos remediation company that is licensed to remove and dispose of asbestos. If you do indeed have asbestos, you may want to think about just putting your new tile over the old.
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