Step By Step Process Of Removing Vinyl Felt Backing From Flooring
After using vinyl flooring for a long time, it is obvious that the flooring becomes stained or ripped, which you need to remove and upgrade as quickly as possible. There are different types of vinyl flooring, one among them is felt-backed vinyl floors. Vinyl flooring with felt backing is one of the toughest & difficult types of flooring when it comes to removing it. Felt backing works by securing the vinyl floor to the subfloor with sturdy, powerful & sticky adhesive, unlike vinyl backed with fiberglass, which doesn’t involve adhesive. However, if you are looking to remove the vinyl felt backing from the flooring, then you are at the right place. Go through the below-mentioned simple step-by-step process carefully, which in turn will help you get rid of the backing as well as replace your old vinyl floor.
- Protection & Ventilation: First of all, you need to don or wear protective goggles, heatproof gloves, as well as a respirator mask in order to safeguard yourself from fumes and heat as protection should be the topmost priority when removing the floor. The working area should be well-ventilated, so you need to keep all the windows open for fresh air to come in or you can also turn on a fan in the room.
- Cut The Flooring: After taking protective measures, trim into the vinyl flooring along with the backing with the help of a utility knife or handheld multipurpose tool having a cutting accessory. Trim the flooring into 3 to 10 inch wide strips, due to the fact that the strips having small width in relation to length will be extremely easy to pull up. Skip this step, in case you are removing vinyl tiles.
- Use Heat Gun: Now, take hold of the heat gun in one hand in the anterior of the first strip of flooring or vinyl tile that you are going to remove. Point the heat gun underneath the flooring and felt backing in order to release or let out the glue from the subfloor. Heat one strip at once to soften the adhesive.
- Pull The Strip Away: Chock or squeeze the front edge of the oscillating tool's scraping accessory underneath any edge of the heated strip. With the tool on, run the blade underneath the vinyl strip. Pull the strip away using your hand when it has peeled away from the floor enough.
- Scrape Remaining Felt Backing: Now, remove the remaining felt backing and adhesive from the floor with the help of an oscillating tool. Reheat the adhesive left behind each strip if necessary and clean the oscillating tool's blade frequently.
- Apply Lacquer Thinner: Finally, if some of the felt backings are still stuck to the floor, then apply a lacquer thinner over them, in accordance with the product’s directions. Wipe with the help of a rag in order to get rid of any remaining glue. Vacuum up the debris after the glue dries entirely.