Tile Glue Removal
- Before going out to buy commercial removers, try laying an old towel over a section of the glue and soaking it with hot water. Allow it to sit for 10 to 15 minutes, and try removing the glue with a plastic or metal scraper. If the glue removes easily, it is a water-based glue. To cover a larger area using the hot water, apply it with a mop. When all the glue is removed, give the floor another cleaning with hot water and allow it to dry.
- Citrus and soy-based adhesive removers are available that will remove a wide range of glues and are not harmful to you or the environment. The trick to using any tile glue remover is to allow the product adequate time to emulsify the glue. Some removers have a "set" time measured in hours, not minutes. Consider the temperature, and keep a close eye on the remover. If it dries and hardens on the floor surface, this will add significantly to the removal effort. Take the time to test the remover in a small area to determine the length of time the remover needs to do its work. The remover has done its work when the glue residue is easily removed with a scraper.
- Most solvent-based removers on the market today are manufactured by paint companies and are related to paint strippers in their chemical ingredients. It may take trying one or more solvent-based removers before finding one that works well on the glue on your floor. Follow all precautions for these removers relative to ventilation, flammability and skin contact. Take advantage of the remover's ability to soften rock-hard glue with chemicals, allowing time for the remover to do its work. When using solvent-based chemicals to remove glue, wipe the residue onto newspaper; then place it in plastic bags for disposal.
- If there is a possibility that the glue may be old enough to contain asbestos, consult with agencies in your locality for removal advice.
