Removing stubborn resilient tile from subflooring or a concrete slab can be a hideous job unless you have the right tool: a tile stripper, available through tool rental companies.
This heavy contraption rolls on two wheels and chips up the old flooring, using a replaceable blade. Though it works best on a concrete slab, the same tool will remove resilient tile from wood floors, but you’ll want to fit it with a flexible blade made for this task so it does not damage the subflooring. When removing vinyl or resilient tile from solid-board subflooring, always work in line with the wood grain (not across the boards).
Before pulling up old vinyl or resilient flooring, be sure neither the material nor the adhesive that holds it in place contain asbestos. You can remove a small sample of the materials, including backing and adhesive, and have it tested by an asbestos testing lab. You can buy a do-it-yourself asbestos test kit online.
If any of the materials contain asbestos, you’ll need to call an asbestos abatement contractor or, if the asbestos is not friable (airborne) you may be able to leave the old floor in place and cover it with the new flooring, applied over luaun plywood underlayment.
Don Vandervort writes or edits every article at HomeTips. Don has:
