Floor tile adhesive

[Pford75]

I'm trying to remove some horrible vinyl floor tiles which have been stuck directly onto floorboards. The backing of the tiles is a felt-type finish and this is coming away from the tile itself (which lifts without too much problem).

So, i'm guessing that i have a lot of scraper work to remove the remainder of the tiles (i've tried steaming and this doesnt work). Any suggestions on how to remove the adhesive from floorboards? Is warm water likely to be successful?

 

[skier-hughes]

No idea if there is anything in this to help you, but........
http://www.periodproperty.co.uk/ppuk_discovering_article_023.shtml
http://www.periodproperty.co.uk/ppuk_discovering_article_039.shtml

It's interesting reading if you haven't already done so

Graham

 

[Pford75]

Thanks for that...as you say, interesting articles.

I'm hoping to avoid sanding though....the room in question is an interconnecting one in the centre of the house and I know how messy the sanding can be. Was holding out the hope that the adhesive could be washed off with warm water.

Guess it's going to be trial and error. If only the previous owners had put some hardboard down before tiling.

 

[skier-hughes]

I'd use the standard things like white spirit/turps etc in an inconspicuous place

 

[Penners]

And if that doesn't work, test a bit with cellulose thinners or acetone.

 

[Pford75]

Thanks.

Someone mentioned to me this afternoon that some floor tiles (these were probably laid in the 1950's) had asbetos backing. Anyone know if there is any truth in this? Bit late really as i've spent the weekend lifting them and scraping the backing off.....it looks fibrous....but more like dense felt than asbestos

 

[Moo]

If all else fails, would it be an idea to try some heat (hair-dryer rather than heat gun) in an inconspicuous place?

 

[FamilyWiggs]

You might find some help here:

http://www.stripperspaintremovers.com/I_want_to_remove.htm

Robin

 

[Lime]

The way to remove these tiles is to use solid carbon dioxide.
A slab large enough to cover a tile is placed on top to freeze the adhesive.
The tile breaks away from the surface it is stuck on complete with adhesive.
I haven't bought the stuff in years but the best place to buy it used to be icecream vendors who had the little iceboxes on wheels or a bicycle.

 

[skier-hughes]

I haven't bought the stuff in years but the best place to buy it used to be icecream vendors who had the little iceboxes on wheels or a bicycle.

:shock:

Blimey how many years ago did you last see an ice cream vendor on a bike?

 

[Lime]

I haven't bought the stuff in years but the best place to buy it used to be icecream vendors who had the little iceboxes on wheels or a bicycle.

:shock:

Blimey how many years ago did you last see an ice cream vendor on a bike?

I saw one last year but that was unusual.

However dry ice (solid carbon dioxide) is still avaialable, google produces several possible sources.

 

[Schoolmarm]

It is used in dry ice machines for theatrical and music industry if that is any help

 

[skier-hughes]

I haven't bought the stuff in years but the best place to buy it used to be icecream vendors who had the little iceboxes on wheels or a bicycle.

:shock:

Blimey how many years ago did you last see an ice cream vendor on a bike?

I saw one last year but that was unusual.

Where was he/she? Seaside?

 

[Penners]

The way to remove these tiles is to use solid carbon dioxide.

Lime - I've never heard that solution before.

Presumably ordinary ice (which is a great deal easier to come by!) is not cold enough to do the job?

 

[Lime]

The way to remove these tiles is to use solid carbon dioxide.

Lime - I've never heard that solution before.

Presumably ordinary ice (which is a great deal easier to come by!) is not cold enough to do the job?

Nowhere near cold enough i'm afraid.

where did I see an old fashioned icecream vendor?
I think it must have been outside Castle Rising Castle.

 

[Pford75]

Thanks for the advice....I've been speaking to a couple of potential suppliers today.

I will give it a go (if only because the alternative is a huge amount of painstaking scraping) and let you all know how I get on.....will be a couple of weeks before I get around to it.....off to Casablanca on business....seriously considering some lovely tiles I saw there last time.....don't think they would fit in my bag though :wink:

 

[Penners]

off to Casablanca on business

Now you're just showing off. And anyway, we're not jealous.

Much.

 

[Pford75]

I'll happily swap....maybe we could arrange something similar to a foreign 'exchange'

I come and put my hugely limited craft skills to work on your lovely house and you fly economy overnight to Morocco (via Geneva) before presenting on 'National Broadband Strategy'. That could work....... 8)

 

[Penners]

'National Broadband Strategy'. That could work.......

National Broadband Strategy sounds like something we could do with in the UK. Don't you dare go setting it up in Morocco before we've got something worthwhile on the go here!

Actually, in that context, I think your job-swap plan sounds ideal. It should ensure that Morocco's 'Strategy' will take them straight back to 56k-Dial-Up-Land.

 

[skier-hughes]

I was thinking more carrier pigeon if you're at it Penners!!!!!!!!!!!!