How to Remove Glue and Adhesive from Floors

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When removing glued down flooring, such as vinyl or linoleum, it’s important to get as much of the old adhesive off the subfloor as possible to provide a smooth surface for the new flooring. There are several tools that can be used to remove flooring adhesive, including:

• Hand Scraper: A simple hand floor scraper has a metal blade mounted on a handle. Using one can take a lot of work, so be sure to wear gloves to avoid blisters.
• Reciprocating Saw: When equipped with a scraper attachment, such as the Spyder Scraper, this common power tool can make quick work of removing dried adhesive from almost any surface.
• Power Scraper: This walk behind machine is the fastest way to scrape a floor. Available at tool rental stores.

      Floor scraper               Spyder Scraper               Power scraper

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6 Comments on “How to Remove Glue and Adhesive from Floors”

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1. Ric Says:
   October 3rd, 2009 at 8:21 am

   Suggestions for removing adhesive (Liquid nails??) from plaster walls to which a sheet backsplash was attached. PLS advise and thanx 4 ur time here Ric

2. Melanie Says:
   January 21st, 2010 at 9:45 pm

   Hi,
   My husband and I have a bungalow from 1950. The tiles in the basement were pulled up because they were cracking and chipping. Problem is is that on about 90% of itthere is asbestos tile adhesive on the floor. Is there a way to remove this safely and cost efficiently? Or can we install a floating laminate floor over the top of it? Or Carpet?

   Thanks for your time and advice

   Melanie

3. Charlotte Williams Says:
   July 27th, 2010 at 7:02 pm

   I am removing Nafco linoleum tiles and putting down laminate flooring. Concrete is under the tiles. Do I have to remove the adhesive or can I put the pad down over the adhesive?

4. jane eaton Says:
   October 9th, 2010 at 4:10 pm

   How to remove glue from carpet that was stuck to concrete stairs? Probably liquid nail?

5. Gareth Says:
   February 10th, 2011 at 2:36 pm

   I recently fitted a real wood floor in my house and have now noticed glue staines on the floor. Is it possible to remove these? If so how?

   Many Thanks

   Gareth

6. Chester Zukowski Says:
   January 28th, 2012 at 9:12 pm

   My son & I are upgrading the kitchen in his 1950′s era home & we just discovered another layer of tile & plywood under the visable layer. How can we remove the multiple layers of wood & tile so we can put in ceramic tile, short of cutting it all out down to the floor joyces.

   Thanks.

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