How to Remove Vinyl Flooring - Everything You Need to Know

Last year, a homeowner in Seattle saved over $900 by removing her kitchen's vinyl flooring herself in just one Saturday afternoon. "I thought I'd need a contractor," she said, "but with the right tools and a clear plan, it was more straightforward than I expected."

Vinyl flooring is known for its attractive look and easy maintenance. But eventually, scratches, discoloration, and stains will take their toll. When you're ready to install new flooring, learning how to remove vinyl yourself can save you up to $1,000 in contractor fees.

There will be a time you have to remove old vinyl flooring to install a new one

Whether you're a homeowner prepping for a renovation, a renter trying to restore your deposit, or a house flipper maximizing ROI, this tutorial will walk you through the entire process in just 2-4 hours. Let's learn how to remove vinyl flooring at home in the detailed guide below.

In this guide, you'll learn:

• Required tools and materials for removing vinyl flooring
• Step-by-step how to remove vinyl flooring tutorial
• What to do with the removed vinyl flooring strips

There's also a FAQs section at the end of this post.

Let's begin!

Things You'll Need for Removing Vinyl Flooring

To successfully complete this floor removal project, here's the equipment you'll need:

• A pair of work gloves for safety
• A utility knife for cutting and scoring the material
• A flat pry bar to remove the baseboard and flooring
• A 5-in-1 tool to scrape out stubborn pieces
• A heat gun to melt down the adhesive underneath
• A wood block to create leverage for prying the baseboard

Keep in mind: you can't remove vinyl flooring without damaging it, so plan for disposal rather than reuse. The final section will tell you what to do about the leftover pieces.

But now, let's learn how to remove vinyl sheet flooring in the next part!

How to Remove Vinyl Flooring, Step by Step

Tools assembled? Great. Time to roll up those sleeves and get to work. Follow these five steps for smooth removal.

Step 1: Remove the Quarter-Round Trim

Start here: the quarter-round trim covers the gap between the floor and the baseboard. Put on your work gloves to prevent injury during the whole process. Then, use the flat pry bar to pry the quarter-round trim off.

Take your time and work gently so you won't damage the baseboard and the wall by accident. You'll add more work if you have to repair them later.

You have to remove the round-quarter trim before removing the vinyl flooring

Step 2: Remove the Baseboard Trim

In some cases, you'll need to pry the baseboard trim off to remove the vinyl that was installed behind it. Installers do this to create a more appealing, natural look. But it makes removing the material more difficult.

If this is your situation, here's how to remove the baseboard trim with the least damage:

1. Place a wood block a few inches above the baseboard and press it against the wall. Make sure the wood block has a smooth surface to avoid scratching the wall. Or you can place a thin, soft cloth between the wall and the wood block to protect it.
2. Insert the flat pry bar and use the wood block as leverage to pry the baseboard off the wall. Move the wood block along the length of the baseboard to remove it slowly.
3. Try to keep the baseboard intact if possible.

Pro tip for those who want to reuse the baseboard: number them on the back so you'll know which piece to reinstall first.

RELATED: How to Clean Discolored Vinyl Flooring & Remove Yellow Stains

Step 3: Remove the Center Section of the Vinyl Flooring

We finally come to the main part of this tutorial: how to remove sheet vinyl. The best way to do it is to work from the inside out. Since installers glue down the material at the edges (normally 8 inches from the walls), the center section is often laid loose. That's where we can take advantage of easier removal.

Always start by removing the center section of the vinyl flooring

To check where the best place to start is, use a utility knife to cut the vinyl 8 inches away from the walls and peel it off to see if you have any trouble doing that. Move away from the edges if it's not coming up easily yet.

Here's a common mistake to avoid: don't try peeling the entire sheet at once. Many first-timers attempt this and end up with torn vinyl and sore arms. Starting from the center and working in manageable sections makes all the difference.

Pro tip from a seasoned DIYer: I once tried peeling an entire 12x15 room in one go. Two hours later, I had torn vinyl, aching arms, and still half the floor to go. Learn from my mistake—work in sections.

If you have your vinyl installed on a wood floor, you can peel it off without using chemicals. But if you're wondering how to remove vinyl flooring from concrete, you'll need to pick up some adhesive remover or vinyl stripper beforehand.

Step 4: Cut the Vinyl Flooring into Strips

Cut the material into strips about 18 inches wide. This makes removal faster and cleaner without leaving residue. The cut doesn't have to be straight, but make it neat for easier peeling.

For small bathrooms under 50 square feet, you'll likely finish this step in 15-20 minutes. Larger living rooms may take 30-45 minutes.

Unless you're planning to reuse the old vinyl for different parts of the house or give it to someone else, don't make large strips. The material can be quite heavy and bulky to handle. Cutting it into small narrow strips will help you dispose of it easier later.

Step 5: Remove the Glued-Down Vinyl Flooring

When it comes to how to remove glued vinyl flooring, there are a few effective methods you can try. Depending on the situation, choose one method that works best for you or combine them:

Method 1 - Use a Pry Bar

Start with this method—it's the most straightforward. Try to scrape out the material with the flat end of a pry bar. It can be a bit hard for those pieces at the edges. So keep your work gloves on and pull them up slowly—be careful not to hurt yourself. It'll eventually come off, and don't forget to use the adhesive remover if you're working on a concrete floor.

Method 2 - Use a 5-in-1 Tool

There are some areas where the pry bar isn't sharp enough to pry off the vinyl, so you should use different equipment, like a 5-in-1 tool. Remember to sharpen it before using it and have the work gloves on for safety.

Use a chiseling motion with one hand to remove the flooring while peeling it off with the other hand. Make sure to remove the entire width instead of scraping out just the top layer, since the blade is very sharp.

Method 3 - Use Your Hands

For the loose parts, you can peel them off with your hands. Pull upward or toward you for better leverage. Work carefully to maintain your balance.

You can use your hands to remove old vinyl flooring

Method 4 - Use a Heat Gun

When all the methods above fail due to stubborn adhesives, use a heat gun to melt it off. Make sure you have protective gear on, like a pair of work gloves, and wear long, thick pants to prevent accidental burns.

First-time DIYer? Start with Methods 1 and 3. Save the heat gun for stubborn spots—it's powerful but requires some practice.

Set your heat gun to low and let it warm up completely. Once ready, hover it over the stubborn area and try to pull it up after a minute or two. Continue doing that for all the remaining parts.

What to Do with the Old Removed Vinyl Flooring

Once you've completed the process of how to remove glued down vinyl flooring successfully, you'll be left with rolls of this material. Now, if you already have plans to use it for a new project or give it away to someone else, awesome! But if you don't, here's how to properly dispose of the old vinyl.

First, fold up the strips accordion-style. Score the surface with your utility knife, so you can snap and fold it into square bits. The thicker the layers, the deeper the scoring should be to make folding easier.

When you've folded the material into manageable pieces, find a disposal site that accepts it. Building material like this may not be accepted with regular household waste, so check the local ordinances for information.

Taking Care of Your Floors and Planning Your Next Steps

Before you decide to remove your vinyl floor completely, consider this: maybe it just needs better maintenance. Try using the best robot vacuum for vinyl plank floors before you come to a decision. This tool might change your mind.

To keep your vinyl flooring's appearance lasting longer, use the best mops for vinyl floors so stains can't affect the surface and fewer scratches appear on your floor.

However, when the time comes and your flooring no longer looks great in your house, knowing how to remove vinyl flooring with the tutorial provided in this post will help you get rid of it effectively without professional help.

Nailed it? Share your before-and-after photos with us, or check out our guide on choosing the perfect replacement flooring for your space.