How to Remove Tile Glue from Wood Floor?

Hi Hansika,

The main disadvantage of buying a house is that you can't change what's already there. You get exactly what you see. This is especially aggravating when it comes to key decisions like flooring. Because not everyone likes the same type of flooring, if you buy a house with a tiled floor but prefer hardwood, you'll have to remove all of the tiles. At least this is what I felt when I bought my new home. While the tiles may be tricky, the glue beneath each tile will put your patience to the test. So, it is very crucial to know how to remove tile glue from wood floor.

Removing glued down vinyl flooring

Because vinyl tiles are thin, flexible, and stick well to a variety of substrates, they are utilised to overlay many preexisting floor surfaces, including wood. Unfortunately, the same glue film strengths them much more difficult to dislodge than they were to place down when it comes time to remove them. The adhesive in vinyl tiles becomes stronger over time, making it more difficult to remove the tiles. Because the wood floor beneath must be preserved, more caution must be shown in removing the adhesive without using harsh chemicals.

How to remove vinyl tile glue from wood floor?

1. With a utility knife, remove the top coating of the vinyl tiles into small bites. To cut the cover, do not cut through to the whole tile with the knife; only cut the top 1/4 inch. Many vinyl tiles are 12 or 13 inches in diameter, which might make them more difficult to remove if one section is more securely glued than the other. It's easier to remove them if you cut them into 4- or 6-inch sections.

2. Pry the floor cover off using a putty knife. Vinyl tiles have two layers: the visible cover and the glue backing beneath it. It's easier to get to the glue if you remove the lid first. Push the putty knife forward in small strokes beneath each section until the surface and some of the adhesives come up.

3. Using a heat pistol or a clothes iron, soften the leftover adhesive in small sections at a time. Heat each area with the heat gun or clothes iron from a few inches away until the adhesive softens. Never touch the glue with the gun or iron.

4. Remove the softened adhesive using a floor scraper. To remove the adhesive, use a brief stroke with the ground scraper throughout the softened portion. Rather than pressing down, lightly scrape the floor with the scraper. You'll have to make extra strokes, but you'll be less likely to damage the wood floor under you. What You Will Require

   • Knife for everyday use

   • Knife for applying putty

   • a hair dryer or a clothes iron

Tip for using a floor scraper: Once everything is in place, the wooden floors to eliminate any roughness that the glue may have left over.

Warning: If you believe the vinyl tiles contain asbestos, do not try and remove them until they have been tested by a certified professional.

This is the process I followed for

removing glued down vinyl flooring. I hope it helps you too.