How to Remove an Armstrong VCT Floor Tile

VCT, or vinyl composition tile, is a form of vinyl tile that is manufactured especially for commercial or retail use. It is thicker, harder and stronger than regular vinyl tile, but is set in adhesive in the same fashion. If it is time to replace that VCT with ceramic or some other material, getting the VCT up from the subfloor can be a difficult task. The task made easier with a deliberate process and the right tools.

Space heater
Heavy metal putty knife
Hammer
Heavy steel floor scraper with long handle
Razor scraper
Broom

Instructions

- 1
  Turn the furnace to its highest setting and set a space heater in the room. Let the room warm up for 12 hours. This will help soften the vinyl tile.
- 2
  Press the edge of a putty knife on the line between two of the VCT tiles. Tap the back end of the putty knife with a hammer to wedge it down into line and loosen the edges of one of the tiles.
- 3
  Work the knife under the tile, continuing to tap with the hammer. Try to get the entire tile out in one piece.
- 4
  Push the front edge of the floor scraper against the exposed edge of one of the tiles next to the area where you extracted the first tile. Jam the scraper under the adjacent tile, pushing forward, until you get entirely under it and can take it up.
- 5
  Repeat the process, using each exposed space to get at the sides of the adjacent tiles that remain. Work outward over the whole floor, taking up all the tiles.
- 6
  Scrape the underlayment with a razor scraper to remove any remaining felt paper or adhesive. Sweep up all loose material.

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