Replacing linoleum in a bathroom will add a fresh new look to the room, especially if the old linoleum is worn, damaged or moldy. This large project will take a few days to complete. The bathroom will not be usable during much of the removal and installation, but the results will be worth the work and inconvenience.
Instructions
Remove Old Linoleum
1. Remove baseboards around the perimeter of the room, using a flat pry bar. Write the location for each piece of trim on the back of the trim with a pencil or thin marker. Remove vents with a screwdriver.
2. Remove linoleum by cutting it into strips with a and peeling the linoleum off the floor in sections. Avoid the toilet area as long as possible so the toilet can be used as long as possible. It will have to be taken out to finish removing the old linoleum and install the new linoleum.
3. Scrape the remaining adhesive off the underlayment with a paint scraper or scraper equipped with a razor blade. Remove caulk around the tub with a razor blade.
4. Replace damaged sections of the subfloor if there are moldy areas or the surface is unlevel after removing the old linoleum and cleaning off the remaining glue. Cut out the damaged sections with a wood chisel and a hammer.
5. Measure the thickness of the existing underlayment with a tape measure. Measure each area that was removed. Cut a piece of new underlayment to fit in each space with a hand saw. Install the new underlayment pieces by nailing in flat-head flooring nails with a hammer around the edges of each piece. Sink the heads of the nails slightly below the surface of the underlayment.
6. Cover the head of each nail and the seams with floor leveler applied with a spackle blade. Apply floor leveler to all areas in the remaining underlayment until the surface is level and provides a flat base for the new linoleum.
Remove Toilet
7. Turn off the water supply to the toilet. Flush the toilet to drain as much water from the tank as possible. Use a towel or rag to blot out remaining water.
8. Disconnect the water supply line from the base of the toilet tank with a wrench or pliers. Remove the bolts at the base of the bowl that secure the toilet in position with a wrench or pliers.
9. Lift the toilet out of position and place out of the bathroom. Push a rag into the toilet drain to prevent waste gases from entering the room while you work on the floor.
10. Remove the remaining linoleum and glue from around the toilet area. Replace underlayment as needed.
Install New Linoleum
11. Create a cutting template with heavy kraft paper. Place sections of the heavy paper around the perimeter of the room and use a utility knife to cut out obstacles. Tape all of the sections together as needed. Place a larger piece across the center of the floor and tape it to all the pieces around the perimeter. Tape all seams together to prevent pieces of the template from falling off the sheet.
12. Unroll the new linoleum in a space that is flat and large enough to work on the entire sheet of linoleum for the bathroom. Allow the linoleum to acclimate to room temperature before cutting.
13. Roll up the kraft paper template and unroll the template onto the linoleum. Tape the kraft paper template onto the linoleum. Align the edges with the pattern as desired for the best results. Vacuum the underlayment thoroughly.
14. Cut the linoleum along the edges of the template with a sharp utility knife. Place a straight edge on the lines on the template and hold the blade of the knife against the straight edge while cutting. Cut out around pipes and the toilet opening carefully.
15. Roll the linoleum from the opposite side of the longest wall in the bathroom with the fewest obstructions. Move the linoleum into the bathroom and position so the edge of the linoleum is aligned with the wall chosen for the starting point.
16. Apply glue to the underlayment with a trowel in 3- to 4-foot sections. Unroll the linoleum to the edge of each section and apply another section of glue. Continue installing on the entire bathroom floor.
17.Roll all bubbles out of the underneath of the linoleum, using a flooring roller and starting from the center of the room, and press the linoleum flat on the glue. Wipe up excess glue from the edges with paper towels. Allow the newly installed linoleum to cure for 24 hours before reinstalling the toilet, baseboards and vents. Install a new wax ring when replacing the toilet.
Tags: around perimeter, kraft paper, underlayment with, utility knife, around perimeter room