How to Repair an Adhesive Tile Floor
Replacing a few missing or damaged vinyl tiles won't take a lot of time or money. The trick is in the prep work.
- Difficulty:
- Moderately Easy
Instructions
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1
Take one of the loose tiles to your local flooring specialty store or home improvement center to find a match. (If the floor is old, it may be difficult to find an exact match.)
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2
Pick up enough tile to complete all repairs, along with the proper adhesive and a notched trowel with which to apply the adhesive.
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3
Prepare the exposed floor. The floor must be completely smooth: free of old adhesive and all nails or screw heads level with (or countersunk into) the floor. The floor must also be stable. Squeaky floors indicate flexing; new floor tiles can pop loose from flexing floors.
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4
Remove old adhesive by soaking an old towel in water and laying it over the adhesive for several hours; this may dissolve the adhesive. Or, use a mild solvent on a cloth and lay it over the adhesive; cover the cloth with plastic to keep the fumes in.
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5
If the adhesive still won't loosen, try covering it with dry ice. This will make the adhesive brittle enough to chip off in large chunks. Or, use a heat gun or blow-dryer to soften old adhesives until they can be easily swept away.
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6
Sweep or vacuum the floor once more after it is completely dry (if you used water or solvents).
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7
Apply the new adhesive with the notched trowel according to the manufacturer's directions. Cover the entire surface of the exposed floor, paying special attention to the edges.
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8
Clean up adhesive that gets on the other tiles as soon as possible.
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9
Lay the new tile in place and press firmly into the adhesive, starting in the center of the tile and working out to get rid of any air trapped under it.
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1
Tips & Warnings
If you have a new floor installed, keep a few extra tiles for repairs or replacement in the future.
You can rent a roller that helps work the new tiles into place.
Use proper ventilation - some adhesives and solvents have toxic fumes.
If you use a solvent to remove the adhesive, be sure to dispose of the rags properly to prevent spontaneous combustion.
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Comments
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Nov 22, 2005
I want to thank you for the person who said to use a hair dryer to remove the old tiles from my bathroom. It really does work. My next problem is how do I now remove some of the glue that was left on old linoleum. I want to get it off and mop the linoleum that was underneath. Any suggestions. Will paint thinner or lighter fluid work. Can I used just plain soap and water to loosen it up? Thank you -
Nov 22, 2005
It is quite simple. Get a wallpaper steamer and place it on the tile. After about 20 seconds, the glue will soften, and up comes the tile. Be careful, because steam can cause injuries.
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Nov 22, 2005
I want to thank you for the person who said to use a hair dryer to remove the old tiles from my bathroom. It really does work. My next problem is how do I now remove some of the glue that was left on old linoleum. I want to get it off and mop the linoleum that was underneath. Any suggestions. Will paint thinner or lighter fluid work. Can I used just plain soap and water to loosen it up? Thank you
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Nov 22, 2005
Use a hand-held hair dryer to soften the adhesive under the old tiles. Turn the hair dryer on the hottest setting and direct the air at one corner of the tile. After a few seconds, start prying up the tile with a putty knife inserted under one edge. Direct the air under the tile to loosen more adhesive as you go.
