Vinyl floors are incredibly popular because of their durability and bathroom vinyl flooring is particularly popular. However when it comes to removing your vinyl flooring then there can be complications. If new flooring cannot be installed over vinyl flooring then the only solution is to remove the vinyl sheet. Most people use a knife to remove vinyl flooring, but applying dry ice to the vinyl sheet can also be very effective.
When removing vinyl flooring with a knife, the first thing to do is to cut the vinyl sheet into strips that are 5 or 6 inches wide. Start working on a strip of vinyl by inserting the knife into the incision, and then, cut the adhesive below to separate the strip from the floor. Peel the strip from the floor as the adhesive is being cut. Keep doing this until the entire strip is peeled off. Then, work on the remaining strips.
After the entire vinyl flooring is removed, there will be traces of vinyl and adhesive left on the sub-floor. These traces can be removed with the use of a scraper. Scraping the adhesive can be hard work, but it ensures the sub-floor will be flat enough for the installation of the new flooring. When scraping the adhesive, it is common to come across certain patches that cannot be removed with a scraper. In such a situation, a chemical stripper can be used to make the adhesive come off more easily. Chemical strippers contain hazardous chemicals such as methylene chloride. To ensure that the use of such chemicals do not cause health problems, make sure there is sufficient air flow in the room.
Not many people use dry ice to remove vinyl flooring, but it is actually a more convenient way to get the job done. The dry ice used to remove vinyl has to be cut into 12-inch cubes. Place the cubes on the vinyl flooring and wait a few minutes. Dry ice causes vinyl to become brittle and then break into pieces. After a few minutes, the vinyl flooring will begin to crack, and the broken pieces of vinyl can be easily swept away. Remember to wear gloves when handling dry ice, because it can cause frostbite when it is held with bare hands. Using dry ice to remove vinyl flooring is less messy than cutting the vinyl sheet off with a knife.
A well-fitted vinyl sheet is usually easier to remove than one not properly installed. Also, full bondage vinyl flooring will require more work than a perimeter bonded one.
