Just discovered parquet flooring under glued down vinyl!

[Spocksmum]

At least in the one area where I can pull up the vinyl - and can see parquet wood flooring similar to the area adjacent to this inner hallway.

Does anyone know how easy it might be to pull up more areas of the old vinyl and see if the parquet is there all the way through? Do I just get a metal scraper or knife or something and dig away at the glue and vinyl?

The previous owners have clearly used very very strong glue to stick down the 1970s 'cork effect' vinyl.

However, if it's only in one area, then that's a bit of a nightmare as I should probably just stick new vinyl over the old one....

If I can get the old vinyl up, there are going to be patches of glue all over the parquet. Is it possible to sand it all off without destroying parquet flooring? Anyone done something similar?

Ideally, I'd like to restore the parquet with sanding and varnishing but might the glue have destroyed it and the process of ripping off firmly stuck down vinyl, damage it further?

Well, I'm sure someone else will have a better strategy but I'd be in there yanking with both hands. A scraper might help.

I suspect it'll be throughout, as why wouldn't it be?

Yes, you can get glue off. Not sure of the best way - there's probably a solvent, or just sanding and scraping. And no, it's not likely to have destroyed it I don't think. I've seen parquet absolutely coated in glue come up really well.

I would definitely pull up the vinyl. It's likely it was laid directly on the parquet as when it went out of fashion it was a great base for other flooring as usually laid very well.

We had this - I pulled the carpet up and found some parquet, thought the same as you, as not sure how much would be there, but it continued. It was in a real mess but you can clean it up and it can be sanded. Parquet flooring is usually very thick so can be sanded well. Google for products or speak to a flooring specialist as they will offer good advice.

I'm keeping our parquet - despite it being quite dark as it's such a good quality floor and to replace it would be £££.

I've had parquet re-sanded and varnished. Comes up gorgeous ... go for it

Ooh lucky you, get checking and then restore. It will come up well even if it looks glued and has bits missing... I pulled up old Lino and thought I found parquet ... It was vinyl parquet. Dash it!!

Lucky you I love parquet. I'd probably get the wallpaper steamer on it, that should help melt the glue.

We moved in recently to our new house.. Lifted up the carpet and found parquet flooring under there. I was chuffed especially as they hadn't used glue to stick it down just a couple of nails! So I had a peek under the hallway carpet and same there.. Got my father to tap along the hallway carpet and its all away along..

Best find ever!

I've got one thing to say:

FGS at all you people casually stumbling over your parquet. x 1000000000

Waaaaaa, I ripped up my floor only to find concrete. Can we have a pic so we can enjoy your find.

Have you tried ironing the vinyl to melt the glue.You need to iron over thin fabric like a tea towel or muslin.It should help lift the vinyl in sections.You could try a couple of areas to check that it's everywhere not just the edges.

Also green with envy. What did I find when I pulled up our vinyl? More bloody vinyl but this time containing asbestos :) :)

You really are lucky. It's very expensive to have laid.