Removal Process

• 1). Wear appropriate eye and respiratory protection before ripping up the linoleum. Dust and mold underneath the surface can cause serious health concerns if these precautions are not taken. Gloves are also needed in order to prevent cuts on your hands.
  
  
• 2). Locate the seams in the surface of the linoleum to determine the easiest points of access. This will decrease the likelihood of having to cut into the surface.
  
  
• 3). Pry at the seam with the claw of a hammer to break the seal between the floor and the linoleum. This can sometimes be difficult. If the two levels do not easily separate, it may be because of the adhesive. An adhesive remover (generally available at hardware stores) can be applied to break up the adhesive.
  
  
• 4). Break off the linoleum in sections using a chisel for tough cases. Also, a scrapper or putty knife may be used if the linoleum comes up easily. However, thin blades can bend and snap if the linoleum is stubborn. Trying to bring up more than a few feet of linoleum at a time can result in floor damage when the linoleum twists, exposing sharp edges.
  
  
• 5). Pull up from the corners of the room if the linoleum appears to be coming up easily. Coming away from the wall will decrease the likelihood of scratching lower wainscoting. However, trying to force a point of entry close to a wall is not a good idea, as more than the linoleum can come up with a hard tug.
  
  
• 6). Roll the discarded linoleum in order to stow it until there is time to carry it to a waste facility. Linoleum that is not rolled up can be a tripping hazard.
  
  
• 7). Dispose or thoroughly clean of any breathing masks or eye protection you used during the removal process. The residue left behind can cause potential health problems if this is not taken into account.