How to Remove Adhesive From Self-Stick Tiles
Self-stick tiles are thin, vinyl tiles sold for myriad uses. Self-stick tiles are inexpensive and some perform almost as well as their more-expensive counterparts. If you need to remove the adhesive from the back of these tiles it is possible to remove the adhesive without damaging the surface of the tiles. However, this project is not suitable for all tiles, so it is important to consider whether you really need the adhesive removed, or if you can use the tiles with the adhesive still intact. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Metal brush
- Tile-adhesive remover
- Wet-dry vacuum
- Safety goggles
- Rubber gloves
- Heat gun
- Extension cord
- Chisel
- Work rags
- Detergent
- Bucket
- Old towels
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Instructions
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Flip the tiles over on their faces so that the underside is exposed. Chip away any large chunks of adhesive with a chisel. It is unlikely that you will remove much adhesive this way, but it will remove pieces of the subfloor that may have stuck to the bottoms of the tiles.
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Heat the surface of the tiles with a heat gun. This will soften the surface of the tile and make the adhesive easier to remove.
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Scrape the bottom of the tiles briskly with the metal brush. If the brush gets clogged with adhesive, pull the adhesive off of the brush by hand. Keep brushing until no more adhesive comes away.
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Pour some adhesive remover over the bottoms of the tiles. Allow the remover to sit for about 10 minutes. Scrub the bottoms of the tile with the metal brush once more to remove any remaining adhesive from the surface.
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Vacuum up any remaining adhesive remover with a wet-dry vacuum.
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Wash the tiles with a few drops of detergent dropped into a bucket of water. Wash this solution over the floor using old work rags. Follow this application with a rise of clear water. Dry the tiles with old towels.
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Tips & Warnings
Always wear rubber gloves and safety glasses when working with harsh chemicals. Work about four tiles at a time, to ensure that you are able to clean them thoroughly.
Consult with the tile manufacturer before trying to clean the adhesive from the back of the tiles. Some tiles may be ruined when the adhesive is removed.
Do not scrub the top surface of the tiles with the metal brushes. This can cause the surface to become scratched and unusable.
References
- Photo Credit tiles image by charles taylor from Fotolia.com
