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Removing Vinyl Flooring Covering and
Underlayment
Simple Tips on How to Remove Vinyl Flooring
Covering and Underlayment
By Mark J. Donovan
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When
installing a new floor covering sometimes it makes
better sense to remove the old vinyl floor
covering and underlayment altogether, rather than
install the new floor covering directly over the
existing floor covering.
Check for Old Asbestos Based Vinyl
Floor Covering
To
remove the old vinyl floor covering and
underlayment it is important to first make sure
that the old floor covering is not an asbestos
based vinyl product.
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If the floor covering is vinyl
that was installed after the 1970’s then there should be no risk of asbestos
in the vinyl. If, however, the vinyl floor covering was installed in the
1970’s or earlier you should have the floor first tested for asbestos prior
to disturbing it.
Assuming your floor covering is not
asbestos based vinyl then you can remove the floor covering and underlayment
yourself. However, before beginning the removal, it is important to check to see
how the underlayment was attached to the subfloor.
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Photo By Mark Donovan |
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Remove
Baseboard Trim
First remove all of the baseboard
trim in the room that will receive the new floor covering.
Test for
Underlayment Attachment Method
Next, using a utility knife and a
scraper remove a small section of the vinyl floor covering to see how the
underlayment was fastened to the subfloor. If the underlayment was screwed
down, then you will need to first remove the old floor covering with a
scraper and then remove the screws from the underlayment. If, on the other
hand, the underlayment was nailed down you can remove the old floor covering
and underlayment altogether, in sections.
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Cutting the Old Floor Covering and
Underlayment
Assuming the underlayment was nailed
down, use a circular skill saw with a carbide tipped blade set at a depth such
that the blade penetrates just through the old vinyl floor covering and
underlayment. You do not want to cut the subfloor.
Use the circular saw to cut small
square sections of the old floor covering and underlayment, e.g. 2’x2’ to 3’x3’
sections. Use a reciprocating saw near the edges of the floor and the cabinet
area, if working in a kitchen or bathroom. Note when performing this project
make sure to use eye protection.
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Use Utility Knife
near Cabinets
When cabinets are involved, it is
also wise to first score the old floor covering and underlayment with a sharp
utility knife near the cabinets to help create a stress crack so that the
material breaks along this line when lifting it with a pry bar. This technique
will help to prevent damage to the cabinets.
Lift Old Flooring
Material with Pry Bar
After cutting the old floor covering
and underlayment up into small sections, use a pry bar, or cats-claw to
carefully lift and remove the sections of old flooring material.
Patch Subfloor
where Required
Once all of the old floor covering
and underlayment have been removed, patch the subfloor where required with putty
or a self leveling compound so that the subfloor is completely smooth and free
of any bumps or ridges, and ready for the installation of new underlayment and
floor covering.
For more help on new home construction,
see HomeAdditionPlus.com’s
Home Construction Contractor Bid Sheets.
Home
Construction Contractor Bid Sheets
will
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Related Flooring Information
Additional Flooring Resources from Amazon.com
Flooring Tools
from Amazon.com
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