Removing a PVC floor can be a big job. But it also very much depends on how the which PVC was used and it was laid. There are two different types of PVC: adhesive PVC and click PVC. Click PVC is clicked together similar to laminate, which makes it fairly easy to remove. Adhesive PVC is stuck to the ground with glue, this is a lot harder to remove and requires more work. Removing and reinstalling a plank of adhesive PVC yourself is doable, but removing an entire slab of PVC floor is best left to a professional. If you prefer to do it yourself, we understand that too, but it is important that you proceed very carefully. We explain how to do it.
Required tools for removing a PVC floor
- Stanley knife
- Putty knife
- Hair dryer or heat gun
- Crusher
- Glue Bite
- Gloves
Click PVC floor removal
Click PVC removal is relatively easy. PVC is laid floating which means the planks lie loose on a subfloor. So they are not glued which makes it a lot easier to loosen them. You can follow the following steps for removing a click PVC floor:
- Preparation: make sure the room is completely empty and you have gathered the necessary tools.
- Remove baseboards: First, remove the baseboards so you can easily reach the edges of the floor.
- Release snap connections: From an angle, lift the strips up a little and try to loosen the click connection. If it is difficult to make a start, you can also use a pry bar.
- Disposal of planks: Click PVC can often be reused. If the planks are in good condition you can keep them. If they are not, you can take them to the environmental disposal site.
Paste PVC floor removal
Removing a paste PVC floor is a lot trickier. We recommend that you have this done by a professional. This is because of the risk of damage to the subfloor. You also want nothing to happen to the floor heating if you have one. A professional often has special equipment to carefully remove the glued PVC. Would you rather do it yourself? Then these are the steps you can follow:
- Warm the floor: Use a heat gun or hair dryer to soften the adhesive.
- Loosen the strips: Use a putty knife to poke the strips loose. If they don’t come loose, you can also use a Stanley knife.
- Remove glue residue: There is probably a lot of glue left on the floor. You can most easily remove this with glue remover.
Be careful with underfloor heating
When you have underfloor heating under your PVC, it is important that you take extra care. We have listed a few tips for you:
- Avoid sharp tools: This can damage the tubes.
- Beware of too much heat: When using a hair dryer or heat gun, be careful not to overheat the pipes, this can damage them.
- Checking: After removing the PVC, check that the pipes are still intact and that the underfloor heating is still working properly.
PVC floor loose strip replacement
If a single strip or a just a few strips of your PVC floor are damaged you can choose to replace them. You can do this as follows:
- Remove the damaged strip: Warm it with a heat gun or hair dryer. Then cut it loose with a Stanley knife and pull it off the floor.
- Remove glue residue: Remove any glue residue that remains. Use a putty knife to do this. For stubborn glue, you can get special glue remover. The floor must be completely clean before you can re-glue.
- Glue again: Use special floor glue and a glue comb for this purpose.
- Place the strip: carefully place a new strip exactly where the old strip was and let it dry.
Have PVC floor removed
As we mentioned earlier, removing a PVC is challenging. Especially when it is glued down, it may be wise to hire a professional. This has a lot of advantages, namely that the job is done a lot faster and there is less risk of damage. We can help you with this, as we are experts in the field of floor removal. Contact us for a free quote.
Having PVC flooring removed cost
The cost of removing a PVC floor is often calculated per square meter. But it also often depends on the size of the job. When you contact us, we can give you a free estimate for the removal of your floor.
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