In home remodeling projects, removing old linoleum can prove challenging, especially if the linoleum has been in place a long time and the adhesive is still holding fast.

One essential tool to use that will make the task easier is a scraper with a sharp razor blade edge. Have extra blades at the ready, because you may find that while scraping hardwood or concrete flooring during the task of linoleum removal that blades occasionally break under pressure.

Instead of trying to tackle removing large sections of the linoleum, the job will take much less muscle if you divide the task up into smaller sections, taking your time to remove the linoleum and underlying adhesive backing in small strips and squares.

After you have finished scraping off all the old linoleum and as much of the underlying adhesive as possible, you will still be left with sticky and still-stuck remnants on the floor. Here is where an adhesive removing solvent or solution from your local hardware store will come in handy. Follow the package directions and just like you did in the linoleum removal phase of the project, continue to work in small, manageable sections.

If you don’t want to purchase a chemical solution, you can try bringing a tea kettle of water to a boil, then pouring the boiling water over what’s left of the adhesive tape on the floor and letting it set for 15 to 20 minutes prior to using your trusty scraping tool again. Sometimes the heat blown from a heavy duty hairdryer can have the same effect of softening the adhesive for removal. As a last resort, sandpaper away any final stubborn spots. Now your linoleum removal efforts have left you with a blank canvas, ready for a new flooring application.