Removing an Existing Floor Covering Before Staining

It's always easier to stain newly placed concrete that's never been hidden beneath a floor covering. But don't let an existing floor covering stop you. In most cases, once you remove the existing flooring, you can stain the concrete subfloor as long as it's in good condition. Just be aware that stains are translucent and will not mask all flaws or discoloration. However, some people like how stains accentuate minor cracks and color inconsistencies in existing concrete flooring, especially if they want a “distressed” or rustic look.

Here's what you'll need to do before you can apply stain to a concrete subfloor:

• Remove existing carpeting, sheet vinyl, and tile as well as any adhesives or mastic used to glue down the flooring. For more information, read Tips for Removing Existing Flooring from Concrete.
• Patch tack-strip holes and cracks in the existing floor
• If your concrete is in bad condition, consider applying an overlay to cover up minor flaws. However, if your floor has major cracks that are structural in nature or the concrete has severe spalling, it may need to be replaced.