Removing Old Vinyl from Maple Floor

[Collin Maas]

I found some good looking maple flooring under the old vinyl in the kitchen of the SFR that I'm remodeling. In most locations it came right up. There is a section in the middle where the stuff is really stuck down. I have a before and after picture after several hours of work removing the vinyl. I've tried using a hammer and chisel but have had the "best" results using a heat gun and a stiff paint scraper. My best guess is this stuff has been there since before the 1940's. I'm planning on removing the stuff and sanding and refinishing the floor with 24, 50 and 100 grit. Did other sections of floor that were covered with carpeting and they turned out great.

2 questions.

1)Is there a better way to remove this than a heat gun and scraper

2) I'm going to be using a floor sander with starting at 24 grit.  Any idea how that will work with some of the residue from the old floor still on the maple?

[Joe Splitrock]

@Collin Maas I have a couple different floor scrapers. The one that seems to work best has a replaceable blade. I actually file the blade so it is even sharper. It can essentially cut through the glue. 

One serious caution. There is a good chance that 1940's flooring has asbestos in it and what you are doing will release dangerous particles. I would test the flooring before proceeding. You need a full respirator mask (not just N95) and you should even wear body gear and shower immediately after working on this. It is very common for people who installed flooring as a profession to get lung cancer later in life from exposure to asbestos. Any exposure level is dangerous, so stop immediately, until you determine risk. I know people who died from this and saving a few bucks on a floor is not worth it.

https://www.asbestos.com/produ...