Vinyl Flooring Removal
Vinyl is not just an economical flooring material but also an attractive one. When newly installed on the floor, vinyl tiles are visually-appealing and stylish. But like most flooring materials, vinyl flooring may need changing after a while.
It could be that the flooring is damaged. You can establish this by looking for cracks, peelings, and scratches on the flooring. It could also be that the flooring is badly stained. Whatever the reason, removing the old flooring is recommended.
DIY Vinyl Flooring Removal – The Challenges
It’s never an easy task to remove old vinyl flooring, especially the self-adhesive type, on your own.
ONE: The adhesive is hard to remove as it’s absorbed by the floor wood. Wood is generally porous and so it tends to absorb the glue excessively.
TWO: Most glues tend to react with the vinyl surfaces resulting in hard-to-remove stains. Unfortunately, such stains are not covered by most vinyl warranties. So, you may have to incur the full cost.
THREE: Some adhesives used to fix vinyl tiles contain asbestos, a toxic chemical.
In addition to the three challenges, there are also some dangers of removing old vinyl improperly which include:
- Difficulty in installing new vinyl tiles
- The floor may look messy and dangerous
- The subfloor may get damaged and it may be expensive to replace
The Solution – Hiring an Expert
Professional vinyl flooring removal is done in two major stages:
Stage 1 – Manpower Removal
A team of professionals uses their hands and tools like flat pry bars, heat guns, and utility knives to remove old vinyl flooring.
Stage 2 – Tiles Disposal
Most vinyl tiles are not recycled. This means they have to be disposed of. Considering that the tiles may be having toxic adhesive deposits, it’s advisable to get rid of them properly. The experts will handle that.