HELP!!!! Removing old flooring

[akck]

You can try a heat gun to soften it and then scraping it with the proper blade.

[shawnd22]

Cut vinyl in 8 to 10" strips peel up what You can. Get 4" razor scraper, the best can be purchased from ceramic tile dealers. Call in advance to see if they carry them. A lesser quality one can be purchased at home improvement stores. Once You've removed all You can by peeling. Pour boiling water on remaining material on floor in sections, let stand about 5 to 10 minutes should come up much easier with the 4' scraper now. Good luck and be careful

[Elke Mariotti]

I have an old linoleum floor in my kitchen (no tiles).
Is it possible/advisable to put flooring over it or necessary to remove the linoleum?

[shawnd22]

In determining that, it depends on how well bonded the existing linoleum aka sheet vinyl is down? and what type of flooring You plan to use on top of it? I primarily install ceramic tile, an I've come across several layers of vinyl on a lot of tear outs I've done. a lot of vinyl is installed with a perimeter glue down. where the vinyl is only glued on the edges. that I would recommend removing its fairly easy an must be done if installing ceramic. but if its completely glued down and is gonna be a complete bear to get up, You can go over it with a multi-purpose thinset which has a latex additive if doing ceramic. If You are using vinyl I believe the only concern is if Your original vinyl has deep grooves or patterning, it could possibly show through depending on the new product your installing. Hope this helps p.s. if You do choose to go over anticipate a little longer drying time as the moisture cant escape the setting material as quickly do to the vinyl.