Wish you knew how to get rid of your existing linoleum? Like all things renovation wise, it can be a tough job, but it is still something that you are capable of doing. How difficult your particular linoleum will be to remove depends on its age and how it is fixated to your sub floor. If the linoleum is currently in good shape minus cracks, and soundly affixed to your sub floor, you may be able to leave it in place and add your new floor materials over it. Most people, however, prefer to remove the linoleum and start from scratch when installing new flooring.
The removal of your existing linoleum will involve some sweat equity on your part. Removal of your linoleum is a multi step process. Once you get the linoleum up you will have to deal with its adhesive material. Also, you may not even know what lies beneath the linoleum until you remove it. The underlying floors could be wood or concrete. Concrete being easier to work with as it is more durable.Tile cleans up very well with the exception of the grout lines. Grout lines are a stain and dirt magnet. Make sure you double seal your grout lines, and clean and reseal them every 2 or 3 years. Unlike your tile, your grout will eventually absorb stains. Clean grout lines will give the kitchen a very clean and polished feel while grungy grout can be a dark cloud over your kitchen.The sub floor needs to be level prior to installation. If it isn�t level, asphalt shingles can be used to level it out. Make sure the sub floor material is completely dry and there is no moisture, which could damage the new floor.Cork flooring is all the rage today, but it's not a very good choice for kitchen floors in most cases. Although its surface is treated, it is just too porous, and if you have kids or a dog rummaging through the kitchen on a regular basis, forget about it. It is not durable. In other parts of the home cork flooring is very popular and it's very easy to install. In most cases, snapping squares together is all that is involved.Bamboo grows much faster than any tree used in manufacturing wood flooring. Plants only take five years to become mature. After they are harvested, new shoots begin to grow almost immediately. This happens automatically with no need for replanting.
Unlike when working with concrete your goal is to not remove 100% of the adhesive. Attempt to do so on hardwood floors and you will probably end up damaging the wood. Simply remove what you can without forcing the rest then clean the area by vacuuming or sweeping the debris. Depending on how much of the adhesive backing remains you can proceed by lightly sanding or removing the remaining portions with damp mopping using mineral spirits or a similar product to prepare the floor for its new refinish.
Author: Beverly Kane
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