Can linoleum be laid on old linoleum?

To lay linoleum, it is necessary to achieve a flat surface of the base. Therefore, the idea of ​​putting linoleum on linoleum (without removing old sheets) seems attractive. Professionals in the field of finishing work say that this is an acceptable technology, but it can not be used in all cases. We will figure out when it is possible to lay new linoleum on top of the old, and when it is better to remove the old layer.

Requirements for the quality of the base for linoleum

Linoleum is the most popular type of flooring in our country. It successfully combines affordable cost, diverse design, low maintenance and easy flooring. But, despite its unpretentiousness, this material makes certain demands on the basis on which it will be laid:

• The surface should be smooth. According to the standards, a height difference of no more than 2 mm on any two-meter vector is permissible. This is due to the relative ductility of linoleum: all the features of the relief with time appear on the coating. And if there are dents or protrusions on the base, they will become points at which material will break through in the future.
• It is unacceptable that moisture be under the linoleum. From the water the material will go in waves, and the floor will be hopelessly spoiled. Therefore, the base must be thoroughly dried.
• The floor on which linoleum will be laid must have sufficient hardness. A too soft base will be washed along with the canvas (under the weight of the furniture, pressing heels, falling objects, etc.), which will ruin the appearance and lead to the appearance of holes.

The use of laminate tiles instead of sheet linoleum does not soften the requirements, but rather makes them more stringent. On an uneven base, locks will constantly diverge, and the coating will quickly lose its aesthetic appearance.

The floor laid with linoleum theoretically satisfies all the requirements. It must be carefully aligned and isolated from water even at the time of laying the old canvas. Therefore, the idea of ​​installing a new layer on top of a non-deleted old one looks very attractive.

Five reasons not to remove old coatings

An overview of the benefits that it can provide allows you to appreciate the attractiveness of each repair solution.

Here is what laying a new linoleum layer on top of the old one gives:

• Time saving. Dismantling the skirting boards, removing the old canvas, cleaning (if necessary, repair) screeds can take from several hours to several days.
• Saving money. Even if you do all the work yourself, when dismantling you will have to spend money on materials for filling cracks in the base.
• Less dirt and debris. Although they say that “breaking is not building”, but at the stage of dismantling there will be a lot of scraps, debris and dust. All garbage will have to be taken out, which again will affect the time spent on repairs.
• The old canvas will play the role of additional noise insulation. In addition, it will not allow heat to leave the room, and a cold base will not allow the legs to freeze.
• Extra softness. The double thickness of the coating will be pleasant to spring under your feet, as well as drown out the sounds of steps.

The economic effect will be especially noticeable if it is planned to entrust the hired brigade to dismantle the old and create a new flooring. So, the removal of the old coating will cost about 80 rubles. for 1 m², surface primer - another 50 rubles., removal of baseboards - about 30 rubles. per linear meter.

All these advantages show: laying the new linoleum on the old layer is really profitable. But specialists in the field of finishing work warn against excessive optimism and advise you first to familiarize yourself with the risks that such a decision brings.

Negative consequences of laying new linoleum on top of the old

There are several reasons why professional builders do not recommend laying linoleum on any coating other than a carefully prepared screed. For linoleum, the set of arguments looks like this:

• Any defects that are on the old coating will eventually manifest on the new one.
• If the old canvas is not adequately secured, the new linoleum layer will quickly go in waves.
• If the sheet is broken by a heel or burned by a fallen match, it is much easier to repair it when the base is solid. But if under one layer there is another, repair will be much more difficult.
• Between the two layers of coating ideal conditions for the development of molds are formed.

All these arguments are not absolute reasons for rejecting an idea. But before making a decision, you must carefully weigh all the arguments for and against.

Cases when it is better to remove the old linoleum

There are several signs that indicate the need to dismantle the old coating to the level of screed:

• Creases, waves, holes in the canvas - unequivocal arguments in favor of dismantling. If the defects are few (one or two problem areas per room) and small in size, we can hope that the floor can be leveled. But if there is a lot of damage or not located in conspicuous places, it is better to remove the old canvas as a whole.
• Scuffs, worn areas. This is especially true for walk-through rooms. If there are heavily wiped areas on the coating, then it is not uniform in thickness. New linoleum will also rub very quickly in such places.
• The service life of the old coating is more than 12-15 years. Old varieties of linoleum were made on a cloth basis. Over a decade of operation, colonies of bacteria and molds have probably developed in it. Leaving such a substrate under the floor is dangerous for the health of residents.

If you plan to lay sports-class material, you need to remove the old linoleum, even if it is in perfect condition. The requirements for the quality of laying sports linoleum are as stringent as possible, as uneven floors can lead to injuries during exercise.

If the old linoleum is in good condition, it is firmly glued to the base and has no significant defects, it is permissible to lay a new layer without dismantling. However, this technology is somewhat different from the usual linoleum flooring rules. We will analyze it in more detail.

The decision was made: where to start?

First of all, it is necessary to remove all the furniture from the room where the work will be carried out. Only by completely freeing the floor will it be possible to inspect the old coating, eliminate all defects and perform high-quality styling. In addition, the new linoleum must "rest" before taking on the load. This process takes at least 1 day (better, more).

The next step is a thorough cleaning of the surface from dirt. The fact is that the organic components of pollution, falling between the layers of linoleum, will become sources of decay. This will lead to damage to the coating and the appearance of unpleasant odors in the room.

Then it is necessary to carefully eliminate all defects of the old canvas. Small bubbles are punctured, filled with glue (using a syringe) and glued to the base. The holes are covered with patches. All cracks and seams are carefully smoothed with silicone sealant.

The final stage of preparation will be the removal of old skirting boards. If the old coating consists of several pieces, the strips with which the seams are closed are also removed. These seams are also sealed with sealant.

Procurement of materials and tools

Before going to the store, carefully measure the area of ​​the room. Better if you can buy linoleum "in one piece." Most stores offer cutting services, which allows you to purchase a sheet that fits your room perfectly.

For flooring on an old coating, it is worth purchasing a fairly thick material with a substrate. Homogeneous (single layer) linoleum of commercial class is ideal. But its cost is already quite tangible, so here you need to go from the budget. However, the decision to purchase linoleum without a substrate is not justified: on a soft base, it will quickly become worthless.

When buying homogeneous linoleum, bend its corner to check the quality of the material. If a white stripe appeared at the bend, the technology was violated in the manufacture of this roll. Only linoleum is worth buying, on which no bands appear when bent.

In addition to linoleum, you will need glue, a spatula and rollers for its application, a long metal ruler and a construction knife for cutting. It is also necessary to include new baseboards in the estimate immediately.

Styling technology

The process of laying a fresh layer of linoleum consists of several stages.

• Step 1.

To begin with, the new linoleum is spread on the surface of the old coating, cleaned from dirt, defatted and thoroughly dried, for “acclimatization”. This process will allow the material to straighten and take its final dimensions. The room should not be colder + 16 ° C or hotter + 24 ° C. Ideal humidity is about 65%. "Acclimatization" lasts about 48 hours.

• Step 2

The recovered linoleum is aligned at one of the edges of the room. Ideally, if you can use two walls to form a right angle for alignment. If there is no such angle, choose a long wall and try to arrange the canvas so that you have to cut as little as possible. The excess is cut off with a sharp knife, making reciprocating movements.

It is permissible to leave small gaps between the linoleum and the walls. These slots will later hide the baseboard. But bending linoleum to the wall is not recommended: a straightening fold forms swelling and waves along the walls. It will not be possible to fix this defect without re-dismantling the baseboard.

• Step 3

After trimming, linoleum is left for another 12-24 hours for final straightening. Then begin gluing the sheet. This is a rather time-consuming operation, therefore, in rooms with a small area, it is often abandoned, hoping that linoleum will be kept in place of the plinth. However, when laying on an old coating, it is better to fix the sheet in place with glue or at least double-sided tape.

Carefully roll up the roll to half, making sure that the material does not move. Then glue is applied to the base and the sheet is pressed firmly by rolling with rollers. Having sustained the necessary time, roll up linoleum on the second half of the room and repeat the procedure.

• Step 4

The final stage is the sealing of the seams and the installation of new skirting boards.

The aesthetics and durability of the new coating depend on the thoroughness of these operations. After installing the baseboard and the overlays that cover the seams, it remains to give the new floor a day or two to straighten. If you strictly comply with the requirements of technology, linoleum will serve for many years.