The top is a layer of flooring material that should come off fairly easily.
Removing old linoleum tiles from concrete.
However with the right materials and guidelines this is a task you can accomplish yourself.
The process to remove old linoleum flooring is simple if not always easy.
Common in homes built in the 20th century black mastic was used as an adhesive for ceramic tile linoleum and other flooring materials.
The biggest challenge is created by the adhesive used to attach the linoleum onto the concrete as it can leave a mess behind.
Remove the top layer of flooring material.
The easy way to remove linoleum adhesive from a concrete floor.
Pull the linoleum up in strips to reveal the linoleum glue.
In most cases you have to scrape up the old linoleum which is most likely 12 inch square tiles then you have to remove the crusty old adhesive underneath alternatively you may have sheet flooring more likely vinyl than linoleum that is glued only along the edges or your linoleum tiles may be bonded to.
The easy way to remove linoleum adhesive from a concrete floor.
How to remove linoleum or vinyl flooring from concrete.
Cut it into strips about 6 inches wide.
You can remove cracked discolored and outdated vinyl tiles from concrete surfaces with a careful process that takes some effort but it will greatly improve the appearance of the floor.
If difficult try a heat gun to soften it and then pull it off.
When you remove that floor covering to make way for new flooring you may encounter the mastic and wonder whether it is safe to remove the main concern surrounding this question is that black mastic often contains asbestos.