How do I remove old formica?/laminate flooring?

J S Machine · 03-09-2010, 08:36 AM

I have been given the opportunity to redo my whole office at work, and I will be tearing up the old floor so that it can be replaced.

The old floor is the formica looking stuff or laminate I guess. I'm not sure what the stuff is called, but it is commonly found in walmart stores or grocery stores. It is 12x12 or so and every piece is orientated 180 degrees from the next. It's about 1/8th thick and glued down.

I need to get this stuff up and I'm sure it won't be easy. Can anybody offer any suggestions?

Thanks

cellophane · 03-09-2010, 08:48 AM

A floor scraper or shingle scraper is the easiest way. Something like this would be good - the shape of the blade gives you some leverage. You can get powered tile removers but it is probably not worth the effort for a small office. I removed old flooring in my kitchen (16x13) and it took the better part of a day to do. I was sore for two days. =p

J S Machine · 03-09-2010, 09:02 AM

I figured I would have to have some sort of scraper. I don't know how stuck it is yet, but I would imagine this wouldn't be too hard. My office houses two very large wire edm machines, and the machines have water tanks. the floor has flooded more than a few times, so there are a few tiles that aren't quite stuck. Maybe I'll get lucky and it won't be too hard to get up.

First thing I have to do today is start getting everything up and out of here.

rusty baker · 03-09-2010, 09:17 AM

If you are talking about VCT. Sometimes you can heat it and it will release. If you are talking VAT, do not remove it yourself.

J S Machine · 03-10-2010, 07:19 AM

Slow progress today, but maybe today I can work on it all day. I brought my kneepads for the stubborn pieces that require a hammer and chisel. I have about a 30x15 office to do.

Here are some pics:

**oh'mike** · 03-10-2010, 07:37 AM

That may be vinyl asbestos tile. Work with caution.

J S Machine · 03-10-2010, 07:57 AM

i thought it may have asbestos. How can I tell?

cellophane · 03-10-2010, 08:45 AM

depends on the age of the tile.

J S Machine · 03-10-2010, 08:51 AM

The floor was put down new 10 years ago. I would imagine that asbestos was outlawed before that wasn't it?

cellophane · 03-10-2010, 09:54 AM

http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/hwtr/...bannedasb.html

you should be ok if they are 10 years old.

rusty baker · 03-10-2010, 11:32 AM

The existing stock of VAT was pretty much depleted by the middle 90's. What are you putting down? Most flooring could be installed over that.

J S Machine · 03-10-2010, 11:37 AM

The new stuff that is going down is pretty much the same stuff. It's just a dark charcoal color - almost black. I mentioned just putting it down over this, but my boss wanted this old stuff up first.

sdsester · 03-11-2010, 09:58 AM

If flooding is an issue why not think about something in a quality, not a box store crap type, seamless flooring? You can get it in a variety of widths and in all kinds of patterns. You won't have the issue with floor tiles coming loose.

You are probably going to have to use some sort of adhesive remover to get the floor prepped for new tile? I really would think about calling in a pro for that part of things.

And your tile is probably is not asbestos but still wear eye protection and a mask when chipping away at anything. Last I remember from a colleague's experience? A fragment to the cornea and resulting treatment to remove it and treat the infection was $$$$$ and a pair of goggles would have been $.