How do you strip a tile or vinyl floor?
Stripping removes old, yellowed or scratched layers of wax from a vinyl (VCT), ceramic or terrazzo floor. It is the required step before rewaxing. Here is the method professionals use.
Updated
Quick answer
To strip a floor, apply a stripper diluted according to the manufacturer, let it work for 5 to 10 minutes without letting it dry, scrub with a floor machine fitted with a stripping pad, then vacuum up the dirty solution and rinse twice with clean water. The floor must be dull and free of residue before a new finish is applied.
Time: 2 to 4 hours for a 300 sq. ft. room, drying included
What you need
- Floor finish stripper (a commercial product compatible with your flooring)
- Low-speed floor machine (can be rented) and black or green stripping pads
- Two buckets with wringers and two mops (one for the stripper, one for rinsing)
- Wet/dry vacuum
- Scraper and hand pad for the corners
- Gloves, safety glasses and non-slip boots
- “Wet floor” signs
Steps
- 1
Clear and sweep
Move the furniture out, sweep or vacuum all the dust and sand, and put up the “wet floor” signs.
- 2
Prepare the stripper
Dilute the stripper in cold or lukewarm water, following the manufacturer’s ratio exactly.
- 3
Apply in sections
Spread the stripper generously over a section of about 10 ft by 10 ft and let it work for 5 to 10 minutes. Never let it dry: add more if the surface starts to dry.
- 4
Scrub
Run the floor machine with the stripping pad until the old finish comes loose. Scrape the corners and along the baseboards by hand.
- 5
Pick up the dirty solution
Vacuum up the stripping slurry with the wet/dry vacuum before it dries.
- 6
Rinse twice
Rinse with clean water and the clean mop, twice, changing the water in between. Some manufacturers recommend a neutralizer in the final rinse.
- 7
Check and let dry
The floor should be dull, even and not sticky. Let it dry completely before applying the new finish (wax).
What about a wood floor?
A varnished hardwood floor is not stripped this way: water and alkaline strippers damage it. It is sanded, then a new varnish or oil is applied, which is renovation work rather than the maintenance done on commercial vinyl or tile floors.
Mistakes to avoid
- Letting the stripper dry on the floor: the old finish sticks back down and you have to start over.
- Flooding the floor: water seeps under the joints and baseboards and lifts the tiles.
- Using a highly alkaline stripper on linoleum or wood: it can damage them. Check compatibility.
- Rewaxing a poorly rinsed floor: the new finish does not hold and turns whitish.
When should you call a professional?
For a large area, a corridor, a gym or a floor covered with many coats, professional stripping is faster and safer: high-speed machines and an industrial vacuum shorten the time the space is closed. HygiePro strips and waxes commercial floors across Greater Montreal, in the evening or on weekends.
Frequently asked questions
Can you strip a floor with vinegar?
No. Vinegar does not dissolve the layers of acrylic wax on a commercial floor; it only dulls the finish. You need a stripper made for floor finishes.
What is the best stripper for a vinyl or tile floor?
A commercial floor finish stripper compatible with your flooring, ideally low-odour. Follow the manufacturer’s ratio: a product that is too concentrated does not remove the finish any better and leaves more residue to rinse.
How long does it take to strip a floor?
Allow 2 to 4 hours for a room of about 300 sq. ft., drying included, plus the time to apply the new coats of finish.