hOME & REAL ESTATE
Ask Gary
Bubble, Bubble,
Linoleum Trouble
Gary Ranck
Dear Gary,
We need to replace the flooring in the kitchen and back door
foyer area. We currently have linoleum, which appears to be loose
and has bubbled up by the door. The floor is old and needs to be
replaced. I also think we need a new stove (although my husband
doesn’t). Does it make a difference in which order we tackle these
projects? New stove first or new floor first? Also, linoleum is kind of
expensive, and we are planning to move within the next few years.
Do you have any suggestions for alternatives?
Thanks for a great column!
Floored
Dear Floored,
The stove can be replaced anytime. If the inlaid is bubbled and
loose, you can try to remove it. Check the underlayment also to see
if it is sound. Depending on its condition, the underlayment may
have to be replaced as well, since the new flooring won’t lay right
if the underlayment is bad. If everything looks bad, take up the
underlayment along with the linoleum and discard all of it. Install
the new underlayment, then lay new inlaid vinyl and trim the edge
with new molding.
You could also install laminate flooring instead of vinyl inlay. Lay
down the new pad, and then lay the interlocking laminate flooring,
using a rubber mallet and a laminate flooring pull bar to get the
pieces locked together snugly. Good luck!
Carpenter Gary Ranck is a sales representative for Brookside Homes. Contact
him at or submit a question to askgary@mountainhomemag.com.