I'm in the process of getting new LVP (luxury vinyl plank) flooring installed, but the contractors won't start until I remove my existing glued down vinyl roll flooring. I've tried using a razor sharp floor scraper with a heat gun, but it's not working at all, even when I heat it until the vinyl starts smoking. Does anyone have tips or alternative methods for removing this stubborn flooring?
1 Answer
It sounds like a tough job! If there's plywood or particle board underneath, you could try setting your skill saw to the underlayment depth and cutting the vinyl and board into a 2'x2' grid. Just be cautious, as older vinyl (pre-1975) may contain asbestos, so cutting or burning it isn't safe. If possible, the easiest solution would be to just lay the new vinyl plank over the existing stuff, but I get that some installers won't do that. Good luck!
I appreciate the tips! I forgot to mention it’s glued directly to concrete. Cutting into smaller sections isn’t really working since it just breaks into tiny pieces. And unfortunately, the install company won’t lay the new flooring on top. I've started using a hammer drill with a chisel bit and it’s making some slow progress.