Floor Tile Removal

[nicknicknick]

Does anyone know an easy way to remove 'plastic' floor tiles. These are the very hard ones circa 1960, not the modern flimsy things. Currently using a hammer and chisel but this is very very slow and also leaves the glue. I'm sure I have seen a chemical that will disolve the glue but cannot find it anywhere.

[WendyW]

Several years ago we had this problem and tried to find something to make it easier. Despite searching we didn't mange to find anything that worked and had to do it the slow way.

[RCP]

If you go to a tool hire co. you should be able to rent a mechanical floor stripper (if you let them know what it's for you should get the right bit of kit). As for the adhesive I don't think you'll be able to dissolve it. It would require a thin coat of latex smoothing compound - this is not that easy to apply and get a smooth finish, but it depends what you intend to put down afterwards. It may be best to get whoever is laying to new floor to apply this.

[contactrob]

you say (I'm sure I have seen a chemical that will disolve the glue but cannot find it anywhere.) use a hotair paint stripper to warm up the glue (for safety wear a mask) and scrap up the glue with a paper stripper tool

[SHP]

Best way is to use a heat gun (like the type for stripping paint) or a hair dryer. First heat the tile, then lift a corner and send the heat underneath, finally scraping with a wallpaper scraper. Most adhesives for vinyl are acrylic based and will soften with heat.