How to Change a Piece of Linoleum Flooring

Linoleum is often confused with vinyl, but they are different flooring materials. Linoleum's color is solid; you can't scratch it off or wear it down. It is manufactured with natural ingredients and resists tears, burns and other damage that ruins vinyl. At the end of its days as flooring, linoleum is recyclable and biodegradable. Although it is rugged, it is not impervious to damage. If you discover a damaged piece of linoleum, or if you just want to add a new color, you can replace a tile using simple tools and inexpensive supplies.

Utility knife
Putty knife
Vacuum cleaner
Degreasing cleaner
Rags
Notched trowel
Linoleum adhesive
Replacement linoleum tile
Rolling pin

Instructions

- 1
  Push the tip of a utility knife into the seam at the edge of the damaged linoleum tile. Drag the knife slowly along the seam to cut through the adhesive. Repeat around the four sides of the tile.
- 2
  Slip the front edge of a thin, flexible metal putty knife into the seam at any side of the tile. Press the handle down toward the floor slightly and push forward to shove the blade under the tile at an angle. Gently pry up the edge of the tile. Move the knife to the left or right at the seam and continue prying. If the tile raises up whole, remove it. If it breaks, continue prying up pieces until you remove the entire tile.
- 3
  Place the blade or leading edge of a floor scraper or small, rigid pry bar in the empty space where you removed the tile. Scrape the adhesive off the floor using short strokes.
- 4
  Scrape the floor along the surrounding tiles working parallel to the edges. Do not push the blade into the tiles in a perpendicular motion. Turn the blade on its side and gently scrape the edges of the tiles.
- 5
  Remove large pieces of adhesive by hand. Vacuum out the opening to remove smaller pieces.
- 6
  Wipe the floor with a rag dampened with degreasing cleaner. Rinse off the cleaner with a clean rag dampened with plain water. Wipe the floor until you no longer see residue or dirt on the rag. Rub your fingertip over the floor after it dries. If you feel any slippery film, rinse it again.
- 7
  Drag a small, notched trowel over the surface of the linoleum adhesive. Apply the adhesive to the floor using long strokes. Cover the entire space. The trowel should leave scores or lines through the adhesive. Wipe off any adhesive mistakes with a dry rag.
- 8
  Set the replacement tile on the adhesive in the opening and press down. Set a rolling pin on the floor. Press down on the handles with both hands and roll it over the tile using back and forth and side to side motions. Wipe off excess adhesive from the seams before it dries.
- 9
  Let the adhesive dry and set for 24 hours before placing furniture on the tile, as recommended by "This Old House" magazine.

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