HELP--please -- OLD Brittle Tile and Yellow Floor Glue ????

botal1026

We are desperately trying to scrape up some old (30ish year old) tile that is thin, brittle and crumbly. It is coming up great in some areas--others it is STUCK. I need to know how to get this stuff up as well as the HORRID YELLOWISH GLUE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
THANKS

Bud Cline

Keep after it!

botal1026

HAHA--LMAO!!
Thanks for the smile!
Really, is there any 'magic' solution??
Thanks-
Janet

Nestor_Kelebay

Janet:

Are the tiles 9 inch by 9 inch squares? If so, those are "asphalt tiles" on your floor. A good tool to remove the tiles is with something called a "molding lifter":
http://www.robertsconsolidated.com/index.php?q=node/566

The glue may be a fight to get off, but one tool that does make this job much easier is a heat gun. Just phone up any retail flooring store and explain your situation and see if they will borrow you a heat gun to see how well it work if you leave a $50 damage deposit. You can buy a cheap heat gun at Wal-Mart for probably about $30 or so. Better ones will cost from $150 to $200.

Can you tell me what's under the glue? Wood or concrete or something else?

botal1026

I believe that it is the 9x9 tile. (I am not at home to check.) I am sure they were beautiful at one time. Under the glue is the original concrete.
Thanks so much!

Nestor_Kelebay

OK, I want you to try four things on that glue. See if any of the following will soften it:
1. ordinary water
2. mineral spirits, also called "paint thinner,
3. toluene or "lacquer thinner", or
4. nail polish remover, or "acetone".

Any hardware store will sell these solvent in fairly small quantities (like a quart). If none of them dissolve the old adhesive, then the suggestion of borrowing a heat gun (which will ALWAYS work) applies, unless you're willing to spend from $40 to $200 for a new one. Most carpet retailers will let your borrow one of their installers heat guns just to see if it makes removing the glue easier.

Let me know once you get each solvent. Apply a fluid ounce or so of each solvent to the glue and immediately cover with wax paper to prevent it from evaporating. Tape down the edges of the wax paper. Allow time for the solvent to dissove the glue, feel the glue through the wax paper and see if it's softening up. If it is, remove the wax paper and scrape at the glue with a putty knife (or anything). If it's soft, it will scrape off easily.

Bud Cline

Using solvents on floors is a health hazard a fire hazard and may interfere with future floor-covering adhesives.

NEVER use a solvent on a floor to remove adhesive.

Bad bad bad idea.

26yrsinflooring

Firebug!


Hey Nestor I think I know a place you can get some good nitro, just blow it off!