Remove old vinyl or lino

Strip old vinyl or lino safely, check for asbestos first, then scrape, clean and prepare the subfloor for new flooring.

RVL-01Clear the room and check the flooring's ageMove furniture, rugs and appliances out of the room so you have clear access to the whole floor. If the vinyl or lino was laid before 2000, treat it as a possible asbestos material — this includes the backing sheet and any black bitumen-style adhesive underneath. If you're at all unsure, stop here and get a sample tested by a professional before you cut, scrape or lift anything.

RULES

KNOW THE RULES

Vinyl, lino backing and old flooring adhesive laid before 2000 can contain asbestos. There's no legal duty for a homeowner to have this professionally removed from their own home, but disturbing it yourself if it turns out to be asbestos is a health risk — get it tested first if unsure.

RVL-02Protect the room and ventilateOpen windows for ventilation before you start. Lay dust sheets over anything you can't move and tape the edges down so they don't slip underfoot. Wear disposable gloves and a dust mask throughout — old adhesive dust is unpleasant to breathe even when asbestos isn't a factor.

2 each · Dust sheet, cotton twill

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1 box · Disposable gloves, box of 100

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1 pack · FFP2 dust mask, pack of 3

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RVL-03Score and cut the flooring into stripsUse a sharp utility knife and a straight edge to cut the vinyl or lino into strips about 300mm wide. Cutting it up first makes lifting far easier than trying to pull up one big sheet. Work from one corner of the room towards the door.

1 each · Utility knife with spare blades

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1 each · Steel straight edge, 1m

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RVL-04Lift the stripsStarting at a corner, push a floor scraper under the edge of a strip and work it along, prising the flooring up as you go. Pull up each strip by hand once it's loosened. Old sheet flooring can be brittle, so go slowly to stop it crumbling into small pieces that are harder to clear up.

1 each · Long-handled floor scraper

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RVL-05Remove the old adhesiveOn a concrete subfloor, use the floor scraper with a proprietary adhesive remover on stubborn patches, then scrape them off. On a timber subfloor, work dry rather than soaking the wood, and go gently to avoid gouging the boards. Never use a heat gun on old flooring or adhesive if there's any chance it contains asbestos, as heat can release fibres into the air.

RULES

1 each · Floor adhesive remover, 1 litre

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KNOW THE RULES

If asbestos hasn't been ruled out, don't use a heat gun, sander or aggressive scraping — this can release fibres. Stop and get it tested.

RVL-06Remove old gripper, tacks and nailsUse a pry bar to lift any wooden gripper rods or tack strips left from a previous carpet fitting. Pull out remaining nails, tacks or staples with pincers or a claw hammer. Tap down any nails you can't remove flush with a nail punch so nothing catches a new floor covering.

1 each · Pry bar

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1 each · Pincers

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1 each · Nail punch

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RVL-07Clean and check the subfloorVacuum thoroughly to pick up dust, grit and small debris. On concrete, check for damp with a damp meter and check the surface is flat, using a self-levelling compound on any dips. On timber, check the boards are secure and undamaged, screwing down any that move.

1 each · Basic damp meter

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1 bag · Self-levelling compound, 5kg bag

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RVL-08Dispose of the wasteBag up the old flooring and adhesive scrapings and check with your local council whether it's accepted in general waste or needs a separate trip to the tip. If any material tested positive for asbestos, it must go to a licensed asbestos disposal site — never put it in a normal bin. Keep any tip receipts in case you need proof of correct disposal later.

RULES

1 pack · Heavy-duty rubble sacks, pack of 10

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KNOW THE RULES

Confirmed asbestos waste must be double-bagged and taken to a licensed disposal site under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 and Hazardous Waste Regulations — it cannot go in household bins.

RVL-09Tidy upSweep and vacuum the room once more to catch any remaining dust or grit. Remove dust sheets carefully, folding them inward to trap dust as you go. Wash your hands and tools thoroughly before bringing furniture back in.

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