Removing linoleum could be a very difficult task if the components under the linoleum and the type of floor where it was installed are not identified. Understanding these components is the key to how to remove linoleum effectively.

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Underneath the linoleum is an adhesive or glue that might have bonded on the floor after so many years. Removing the linoleum is a little bit easy but removing the adhesive is a lot challenging. Certain techniques have to be tried before the right solution for the problem is applied.

Knowing the type of floor helps in determining the ease of removing old linoleum. If the linoleum is placed under a concrete floor, the steps on how to remove linoleum adhesive are very easy. On the other hand, if the linoleum and adhesive are placed on the hardwood or plywood sub floor then the procedures on how to remove linoleum glue could be difficult.

Removing the adhesives in concrete and hardwood is really easy but will require a lot of patience. If you are able to understand how to remove linoleum tile on a concrete floor, solvents could be applied to melt the adhesives. This practice cannot completely remove the adhesives so a heat gun should be used to remove smaller portions of adhesive on the floor. Applying solvent on a hardwood on the other hand, is not recommended. Heat guns could be used to melt the adhesives.

On the other hand, if the linoleum is installed on a wooden sub-floor, the linoleum and the wooden sub-floor could be removed at the same time. The challenge of how to remove linoleum floor in this type of installation is to determine the depth of the sub-floor. If the depth of the sub-floor is overestimated, the actual hardwood could be affected. The depth could be determined by slowly drilling a hole in the sub-floor and match the depth of that measurement to the circular saw. The circular saw should cut in smaller pieces to easily remove the sub-floor together with the linoleum.

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Comments (45)

• |2009-03-08 10:00:35 Jeff  - I just put tile over my linoleum
  I have to say I had a hard time trying to remove my linoleum, It was such a pain so I just put tile on top.
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• |2010-04-10 05:33:34 gman  - i did too!
  hah! That is what I did too!
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• |2009-07-18 21:40:11 bevtrigilio@yahoo.com  - tile over linoleum
  actually that is one way to eliminate the cracking that tiles under go as concrete slabs dry out in summer and gain moisture in winter. I live in an area where the membrane is not enough as the clay moves causing a real hardship on the slab If the tile is not heavy enough it will crack and splinter.
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• |2009-10-07 07:18:44 Jeremy  - Remove linoleum with hot iron
  the hot iron and steam will loosen the glue and you can remove the tiles easily in one full sheet instead of chipping at it with lots of elbow grease.
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• |2009-10-08 17:55:41 Jared.
  DIY to FYI Its A Pain In The Ass
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• |2010-06-22 15:39:56 tile over linoleum
  I'm attempting this weekend in my Master Bath. I have 2 layers on linoleum on top of the sub-floor and need to get both up so I can lay tile. Wich me luck.
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• |2010-06-24 20:39:42 Charlene
  We just chipped it all up with a sharpened flat shovel, and now have a mess of black adhesive to remove before we can lay tile. (cement slab)I guess we will try detergent/water in one area tonight and see how it goes tomorrow. Is there an adhesive remover that works? If I ever decide to do this again, just shoot me...
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• |2011-10-15 14:58:46 Carol Doty
  I removed old asphalt tile and black glue on myrtlewood floors. Once I had the tile off and much glue scraped, I was told about an acid that could be painted on the hardwood that would remove the stain. Sorry I don't remember the name of the acid.
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• |2010-07-13 12:21:40 Newf
  right now i'm in the middle of pulling up a 40 year old lino from concrete. I used a crow bar under a loose edge a slowly worked my way around prying from the bottom. i got all the lino from the floor of a 20 x 10 room in a couple of hours. now i'm just left with small bits of glue everywhere.you will see the lino stretch, but best if you can keep it from cracking as you pry. hope this helps
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• |2010-07-13 14:45:30 Charlene  - finished it
  It turned out that they could lay the tile over the old adhesive, since it was not very thick or uneven. Whew... what a relief! The new tile looks awesome. Wish you luck with yours as well.
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• |2011-02-22 15:12:19 JULIE  - TILE OVER LINOLEUM
  I would like to know if putting tile over the linoleum cause problems down the road. Did the tile crack?
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• |2010-07-23 07:51:18 jully  - remove linoleum
  Hi,
  Good query to put up. I suggest that depending on the age of the linoleum and the type of adhesive used it could be extremely difficult to remove. Sometimes linoleum was installed and only glued around the edges and around heat ducts in the floor. If this is the case with your floor, it won't be easier but will at least be less time consuming. On substrate flooring cut the linoleum into strips with a razor knife. This will make it easier to start scraping if your floor is completely glued and will make your old linoleum easier to handle if it is edge glued. Once you have cut the strips now it is time to start scraping and remove linoleum.
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• |2010-07-28 20:01:10 Joe  - linoleum
  So I can just put tile over the old linoleum? Would I need to put down backerboard? or ?
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• |2010-11-17 12:32:25 Mike Coons  - Best way to remove Linoleum Adhesive
  I needed to remove about 150 sq ft of linoleum last weekend. I tried the heat gun method and the floor steamer method and it took me about an hour and a half to remove about 15 sq ft. Use the following method and your life will be easier. Pull up the top layer of linoleum the best you can. This will leave just the paper backing and adhesive. Go to your local hardware store and buy a gallon of Klean Strip Adhesive Remover. I rolled it on with a cheap paint roller. Do not use a plastic paint pan because it will eat the paint pan. I poured it right on the floor and spread it around after it ate my paint pan. Wait about 15 minutes and use a long handled scraper and the paper and adhesive peels away with little effort. This left no damage at all to my particle board subfloor. If you are using a putty knife to peel it back make sure you are wearing gloves because the stripper will burn your skin. I took about an hour and a half to strip off about 135 Sq ft of adhesive. Do a sma...
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• |2011-12-05 10:52:15 Michele Lusk  - floor stripper
  My question is the stripper really quick because we have 4 cats and 2 dogs that would have to be kept out of area? Does it leave a residue that would be harmful to pets? Thanks
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• |2011-12-20 15:40:53 Anonymous
  Will try this. Thanks.
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• |2010-12-03 13:47:41 Josh Jensen  - Best removal method
  I found if you soak the adhesive with soapy water(degreaser and water) scar it everywhere with a blade and let it soAk for about ten minutes then come back and scrape it with a razorblade scraper it comes right up with little to no elbow grease!!!! Hope this helps you like it did me!!!
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• |2010-12-09 09:31:16 Sara/Robert 1st timers  - Trying to do without harsh chemicals
  My husband and I just bought our first home (a foreclosure)and getting the many layers of linoleum up has been a challenge especially since I have just entered the 2nd tri-mester of my pregnancy and we are trying to avoid harsh chemicals.This flooring has been there for many years, and it is on hardwood upstairs(under carpet! I don't know why!?) and on a sub-floor in the kitchen.Does anyone have any advice? Thanks
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• |2010-12-17 22:13:42 Marty  - Removing Linoleum
  Be careful if you are pregnant you should NOT be removing anything. Some linoleum was put down with materials including asbestos. Your days for remodeling should be over for now. Depending on the age of your home will determine if you have potential asbestos problems.
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• |2011-09-09 18:21:41 Fawn
  I am in the same situation, but our house is not so old, so no asbestos. We bought a bucket of dry lye from the local soap co. You do have to worry about skin contact, as it is caustic, but it is non-toxic and makes no fumes. Neutralize with plain vinegar. Works like a charm, glue removal is a cinch!
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• |2010-12-29 16:26:05 Jessica  - Linoleum
  My master bathroom toilet decided to fill almost 50% of our house with water over Christmas Eve, so we are in the process of finishing getting the adhesive off where the linoleum was laying. It was easy pulling off the 2 layers of linoleum (the people living in this house before us, 2 was their fav number wall paper and all!), seeings how it was soaked completely w/the toilet water. I am in my 2nd almost 3rd trimester as well and have been using hot water w/some detergent. So far so good, but taking longer than expected. Any ideas on removing it quicker w/o harsh chemicals?
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• |2011-01-05 22:47:06 steve  - steve - Linoleum on concrete
  my 187' kitchen has a 37 year old linoleum floor laid over concrete. I was able to pull up all the linoleum and now I am left with the paper back of the Linoleum and the adhesive has bonded to 90% of the floor to the concrete. I have tried hot water and detergent and a scraper with almost no result. And my wife is pregnant so I can't use strong odor. Is there anyone that can help me with this problem in lifting the adhesive and the paper back of the floor?
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• |2011-01-21 23:55:17 samfloor
  Two warnings. Solvents can prevent the next flooring from adhering, that is why pros don't use it. And flooring/adhesives made before 1978 and sold before 1995 can contain asbestos.
  
  Flooring installer for 40 years.
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• |2011-08-12 09:33:20 Kasey  - Asbestos??? Now you tell me
  I bought a 12' x 24' piece of Fiberfloor on impulse from a store that was going out of business so I could replace the outdoor carpet the previous owners installed in my kitchen/dining room. But when I pulled up the carpet, I found linoleum in the kitchen area which I've spent the last 8 hours loosening with a 3" scraper. (I'm keeping it intact so I can use it as a template for the new floor.) Anyway . . . the house was built in the early 70's. Is there a way to tell if I'm dealing with asbestos?
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• |2011-02-26 23:27:12 Anonymous  - re: Best way to remove Linoleum Adhesive
  Mike Coons wrote:

  I needed to remove about 150 sq ft of linoleum last weekend. I tried the heat gun method and the floor steamer method and it took me about an hour and a half to remove about 15 sq ft. Use the following method and your life will be easier. Pull up the top layer of linoleum the best you can. This will leave just the paper backing and adhesive. Go to your local hardware store and buy a gallon of Klean Strip Adhesive Remover. I rolled it on with a cheap paint roller. Do not use a plastic paint pan because it will eat the paint pan. I poured it right on the floor and spread it around after it ate my paint pan. Wait about 15 minutes and use a long handled scraper and the paper and adhesive peels away with little effort. This left no damage at all to my particle board subfloor. If you are using a putty knife to peel it back make sure you are wearing gloves because the stripper will burn your skin. I took about an hour and a half to strip off about 135 Sq ft of ad...
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• |2011-04-10 05:59:21 bailey
  guys thx ima try it )
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• |2011-05-21 09:22:09 Brigitte  - Thank You
  I'm in the process of renovating my house, which includes removing linoleum and I must say that all your tips are very helpful. I've been scrapping my floor for the past 2 days and haven't made much progress. I will be heading to my hardware store to pick up Klean Strip Adhesive and hope it works.
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• |2011-06-22 23:41:04 Cheryl  - Help me pleeze
  
  
  I am about halfway to getting our basement suite floors stripped down to concrete. So far in the living area I have removed two layers of carpet that was glued to linoleum tile. That was actually not as hard as the kitchen area, ehich is only at best one third done. I stripped of the linoleum down to the paper backing, which I believe is glued to tiles which are in turn glued to the concrete. As far as I can tell, that's it for the layers. I gave tried hot water and a scraper and most of it is still there. At this moment I would love to set it on fire and see if I can do a controlled burn. I will control myself and hope you have any thoughts
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• |2011-08-15 02:37:11 Christine  - Cheryl, I hope U found the help you sought!
  OMG- I feel so bad for U yet I'm lmao! U have a great sense of humor. I'm reminded of the first home I bought and the hours I spent with heat guns and strippers and sanders in hand. I hope everything turned out beautifully for you!
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• |2011-06-23 18:56:16 Jacque  - what cleans up the Klean Stripr?
  This has been extremely informative. What do you use to get the Klean Strip residue off the concrete? I,too, peeled up 2 layers of linoleum sheet. It took me three days after work to muscle up the Kitchen and laundry room flooring without using a heat gun. I have a layer of paper backing to get up now.
  I plan to paint my concrete floor. I had great results with that in a former home. It looked like terra cotta flagstone. I painted my 1992 countertop to look like granite so I need to paint a floor that won't clash with thatz6XBL.
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• |2011-08-15 03:18:24 Christine  - did U figure out how to clean up the Klean Strip?
  I'm planning on pulling up the vinyl tiles in the kitchen and 3 bathrooms and staining or painting the concrete.
  
  Your faux terra cotta countertop sounds nice. What paint did U use? And how did the floor turn out? Did U find a way to clean up the KS residue?
  
  Wish Home Depot were open right now, but it's 1a.m. I'm inspired by everyone's projects. Best.
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• |2011-06-24 15:50:41 Kim  - 80 yr old wood floor
  I have beautiful 80 year old wood floors that my mother-in-law glued linoleum down on more than 40 years ago and I am now trying to get up. She has been very proud that they have never moved or curled up...lots of adhesive! How do I get this stuff up. She's too old to remember what she used but it was some good stuff. I don't want to damage to wood. Thank you.
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• |2011-07-07 10:30:56 Hammad  - Thought
  I just wanted to add my two cents. I had old sheet linoleum in my baths and kitchen. I just laid Duralock board over the linoleum, used a good water/mold resistent caulking at the walls, and used tape and a good water/mold resistent joint compound at the joints. Then you lay your tile on the board. You have a nice clean, even, mold/water resistent surface to lay your tile.
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• |2011-07-25 19:56:59 Anonymous  - re: linoleum
  Joe wrote:

  So I can just put tile over the old linoleum? Would I need to put down backerboard? or ?
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• |2011-07-25 20:34:05 Jon  - ahhh
  just sell your house... it will be easier
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• |2011-08-15 03:06:37 Christine  - Why do my feet always feel wet when I exit my bath
  cool discussion. I bought a repo & noticed that a bathroom smelled a bit like urine, and I can't get rid of the smell. Cleaned everything like crazy. Don't see any leaks around toilet (vinyl tiles over concrete). Could a broken seal cause a leak to occur under the vinyl tiles? Now the floor always feels slightly moist, so something's getting worse. I'm thinking the best place to start is at the bottom, ie, the floor. Thinking of just leaving it concrete.
  
  Thanks for all your shared experiences and input. We are not alone in our various struggles!
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• |2011-12-23 06:16:37 Diane  - Christine..urine smell
  I have many cats and found that rubbing alcohol full strength helps alot. Just be careful of what you're putting it on so it doesn't remove the finish. Also a product by Paramount Chemical called "Kids 'N' Pets" It's made in the USA ! Walmart has it.
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• |2011-08-25 11:05:04 Chris  - Removing 4 layers of linoleum from wood floor
  I have about 4 layers of thick linoleum that has been on my house for about 50 years with some heavy adhesive on a wood floor that looks like tar. I am not trying to save the wood, but need to remove the lino to make the floors level and lay down new flooring. I tried using a scraper and the back of a hammer to pry it up. I only got so far before I had to give up. Is there any machine that I can rent to help? Would a floor stripper machine work or damage the floor? The lino is too think to cut through by hand.
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• |2011-08-28 21:54:04 Karianne  - only glue let
  My husband and I just finished removing the linoleum and the paper backing, but now we still have a lot of glue on the wood sub floor. We tried a cleaner but it did not do much. Any suggestions on how to get the rest of the glue off the wood sub floor?
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• |2011-09-13 09:32:57 Vanessa  - painting over glue on concrete floor?????
  We just took our carpet off of the basement floor to find out they had old linoleum tiles which came right off, but the floor has this black stuff all over the floor which is very smooth but I think it is the glue(you would think the floor is black. It sort of feels like rubber and the floor underneath is concrete. So we tried painting over it with an oilbased primer (Kilz)but I don't think it is sticking. what can I use to paint over it that will stick??????
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• |2011-09-21 14:32:00 Anonymous  - re: Best way to remove Linoleum Adhesive
  Mike Coons wrote:

  I needed to remove about 150 sq ft of linoleum last weekend. I tried the heat gun method and the floor steamer method and it took me about an hour and a half to remove about 15 sq ft. Use the following method and your life will be easier. Pull up the top layer of linoleum the best you can. This will leave just the paper backing and adhesive. Go to your local hardware store and buy a gallon of Klean Strip Adhesive Remover. I rolled it on with a cheap paint roller. Do not use a plastic paint pan because it will eat the paint pan. I poured it right on the floor and spread it around after it ate my paint pan. Wait about 15 minutes and use a long handled scraper and the paper and adhesive peels away with little effort. This left no damage at all to my particle board subfloor. If you are using a putty knife to peel it back make sure you are wearing gloves because the stripper will burn your skin. I took about an hour and a half to strip off about 135 Sq ft of ad...
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• |2011-10-01 21:15:36 michelle nolan  - linoleum
  I have peeled off the linoleum and am too left with the paper backing. Cant you just tileover it without problems?
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• |2011-10-10 04:50:13 Denise
  My home was built early 50's and has wooden floors throughout, however over the years previous owners have seen fit to lay lino in the wet areas, kitchen, bathroom, laundry and glue it to the wooden floor, and then glue kitchen carpet to the lino, how am i going to remove it all so I can tile these areas? any ideas
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• |2011-10-18 15:19:33 Vince  - Hot Water
  I'm in the process of removing asbestos containing VCT installed in the 1950s from my entire upstairs (about 1000 SF).
  
  The tiles pop up without breaking using a rigid putty knife.
  
  Underneath is a thick layer of paper/adhesive.
  
  I put a large pot of water on the stove and heat to boiling.
  
  Pour hot water on floor and spread around with a 3M heavy duty floor pad, with holder attached to a broom stick. (Google 3M doodlebug)
  
  Let water soak in for some time and begin scrubbing it with the 3M pad with the grain of the wood.
  
  Clean up mess with wet/dry vac.
  
  More hot water, more scrubbing, more wet/dry vac.
  
  Wash, rinse, repeat. Keep window open with a fan on to allow wood floor to dry out.
  
  Not intense work, but it is time consuming.
  
  Not all adhesives will be water based.
  
  
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• |2012-01-02 08:08:27 sandra mock  - Ugh!
  My husband and I bought our home in 2009, and been attempting to remove this HORRENDOUSLY UGLY lime-green, TEXURED linoleum from our kitchen and laundry room floors that have been here since 1978 (you can tell-they matched the wallpaper and wallplug covers to the floor).This stuff is completely stuck down! We've tried hot water, a sawzall with a flat blade, air hammers attached to our air compressor, the so-called "glue remover", an industrial-grade sander we rented, and all we have is a mess of layers of linoleum paper, patches of glue, frustration, and a complete mess in our kitchen. We're done playing- so we're tiling over it.
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