How to Paint and Make Over a Linoleum Floor

It is absolutely possible to paint a linoleum floor to give it new life. If your bathroom or kitchen floor is looking worn or dated, this can be a great way to give it a makeover so it will fit with your current décor and look fresh and updated.

This project is one you can take on in a weekend and that can make a big difference. Remember, when you work with cleaning chemicals and paint, ventilate the area and wear a facemask.

Prepare the Floor

Take everything out of the room and remove vents or outlet covers on the floor. Sweep the floor and mop it well. You can use a deep cleaning product like trisodium phosphate to remove stains and grime.

Using a power sander, work out anything that is stuck to the floor and remove the shine so the paint will adhere well.

Protect Fixtures

Now, use painter’s tape to protect areas like the base of the toilet, along walls and around fixtures. You can also lay drop cloths or tarps over appliances or counters to protect them.

This is a good opportunity to make sure appliances and plumbing fixtures are working well. If you need to make repairs, contact someone who specializes in appliance repair, plumbing repair or boiler repair on Long Island to set up an appointment before you paint the floor.

Prime the Floor

Use general indoor primer to cover the floor, doing multiple coats if needed. The best way to prime and paint a floor is to cut in with a paintbrush around fixtures and cupboards and the bases of walls. Then, use a paint roller to cover larger areas. Start with the inside corner and work your way out of the room.

Let the primer dry as long as directed on the package before you move to the next step.

Start Painting

When the primer is dry, you can start painting with a porch or floor paint, which is designed to stand up to a lot of wear and tear. You may need to use more than one coat and you can use stencils or painter’s tape to create a pattern on the floor.

Painting over an old, worn linoleum floor is a great way to update the entire room. You can find more tips for this project, and others, on the Pat Dolan Plumbing website.

We specialize in appliance repair, leak detection and repair and boiler repair on Long Island, so contact us if you need assistance making repairs before you start painting.