posted by Ahijoy on December 20, 2022

How To Remove Adhesive From Vinyl Flooring?

When you intend to revamp your home or plan on building a new one, you want everything to be remarkable. You would want to decorate your space in a classic manner depicting glamor and elegance. From walls to ceilings, every nook and cranny should be a reflection of your taste and persona. This includes the flooring as well.

The best yet economical material for flooring is vinyl. It looks truly amazing and is very easy to clean and maintain. It also gives the flooring a very realistic look whilst being surprisingly low maintenance. However, while laying down the vinyl flooring, you might experience excess glue escaping through the seams or due to negligence, the adhesive might end up on top of the plank. It can be very frustrating to remove it from your floor as it might dry up and get very stubborn. If you try to pull it off, it will only get worse.

Removing adhesive from your vinyl floor can be quite complicated if it is a standard subflooring which means the floor can absorb the adhesive and can discolor it. It can indeed be a tiring job but with correct procedure, it can be easily done. Use the right tools and proper equipment and you can clean the adhesive in no time!

Different Forms Of Adhesive And How To Remove Them Promptly

While applying vinyl to your floor you may either have to remove excess fresh glue or dried glue from the top or the seams. Different strategies have to be employed to get both the types off your floor.

Dried Glue

Once you're done with the application and the glue has dried up, it will be tough to get it off. You may need a solvent solution to loosen it up before you start scrapping it off. As it dries up with time, it also becomes transparent. You will need a wooden spatula to scrape it off but you will have to follow the correct steps. Over scraping the dried-up glue can damage your floor. Make sure that the glue mark is moist enough.

Fresh Glue

If you have noticed the glue while it is still fresh, you can easily remove it. As soon as you see it drop on the floor just remove it there and then to avoid the hassle later. All you need is a dry cloth and a damp sponge to get it done. Make sure to follow the instructions to prevent any damage.

There is a proper method to remove glue from the vinyl floor. Read on to see what it is.

Tools Needed To Remove Glue From The Vinyl Floor

Every procedure needs proper tools to get the job done perfectly. The same goes for removing dried glue from the vinyl floor. Here’s what you need:

Plastic scraper or putty knife.
Cotton cloth, rag, or sponge.
Spray bottle.
Acetone or nail polish remover.
Water to dampen the sponge.
Latex gloves.

Step Wise Guide To Remove Dried Glue From The Vinyl Floor

Step 1: First and foremost, put on gloves to save your skin from any damage. In order to remove dried glue you have to loosen it first. Put acetone in a spray bottle and apply it directly to the glue. Before doing so however, test the acetone by applying a little to an inconspicuous place. This is to make sure that it will not change the color of the vinyl floor or cause any damage. Once you are sure, you can spray it directly on the dried glue.

If the glue has dried up near a wall or a compact space, you can put acetone on a piece of cotton cloth and apply it on the adhesive. This way, it will not be sprayed onto the nearby wall.

Acetone is the most effective household product for removing glue. If you do not have it, you can also use vinegar, rubbing alcohol, or degreasing soap. These substances can help remove glue though their effectiveness is not guaranteed. You may also have to be sure that they do not damage the vinyl floor. There are also special products available in stores for removing glue from vinyl flooring such as Goo Gone.

Step 2: Leave the acetone on the dried glue for a few minutes so that it loosens the adhesive. After it is thoroughly loosened, it’s time to remove it.

Step 3: Start peeling it off as the glue softens. Use a putty knife or scraper to scrape the glue off the floor. Do not apply excessive pressure. Scrape parallel to the floor. Repeat the step until all the glue is removed especially if the glue is very thick.

Step 4: Once the glue is wiped off, take a cotton cloth or sponge to remove any particles or residue left behind. This will also clean the acetone applied to the glue.

Step 5: Lastly, wipe the space with a clean cloth and warm water, and then dry it with a cloth.

How To Remove Fresh Glue From The Vinyl Floor?

If the glue is wet, take a wooden board with a straight edge and flatten the excessive glue coming out of the seam with it. This will even out the glue and it will not be noticeable. It Is better to do this as you are laying the floor so that the problem is solved while the glue is wet otherwise it will be a hassle to remove.
If the glue has dried, use a scraper to remove the adhesive without damaging the floor. Remove as much glue as you can with it. Just don't be too hard. Dip a cloth in acetone and wipe the seam area. If the glue is stiff, leave the acetone for some time on it to loosen it. Wipe the surface gently without applying any pressure.

Wipe off the area with a damp cloth to remove the acetone and then with a dry one so that no dampness remains on the floor.

How To Remove Marks Of Remaining Adhesive?

If you have successfully removed the adhesive but there are still marks of it left on the vinyl floor, dip a paintbrush in acetone and apply it to those marks. Leave it for some time and then wipe it off with a damp cloth. The marks will be removed. Wipe off the place with a dry cloth then. Since now you know how to remove excess glue, let’s discuss the suitable adhesives that work best when laying down the vinyl floor.

Types Of Suitable Adhesive For Vinyl Flooring

Different types of adhesives can be used to lay down vinyl flooring. Below is a brief description of these:

Acrylic Based

This type of adhesive is the most appropriate for vinyl flooring. It bonds quite well with the floor and doesn't contain any harmful chemicals that loosen the bond between the adhesive and the floor. It also maintains the temperature and moisture within it.

Water Based

This is suitable for areas with poor ventilation. The best part of water based adhesive is it can be easily cleaned even after it has dried. The problem is that it can weaken due to moisture or even if you leave spilled drinks on the floor.

Polyurethane Based

This is a stronger and more durable adhesive. It is made up of isocyanate and polyols. You can use them on larger areas as well as on wooden floors but this one can be a lot messier than the other adhesives because of its resistant quality.

How Long Does It Take For Vinyl AdhesiveTo Dry?

Generally, a good adhesive will dry up in 24 hours but to make sure it is installed properly you might have to wait for a maximum of 48 hours. The duration can vary due to temperature and moisture in the environment. Normally, the glue starts to get hard in 4 to 5 hours so you better keep a scraper or a cloth with you while you install the vinyl.

How To Get Permanent Adhesive Off Your Floor?

It is not easy to get rid of permanent adhesive such as super glue as it requires a lot of hard work and energy. However, you can use an ice cube to do the magic. Apply the ice cube over the adhesive and let it freeze. As it shrinks, use a scraper but only scrape off the top layer as you may damage the floor. Then use sandpaper to remove the residue. Make sure to apply the proper amount of pressure. Lastly, clean the area with a cloth, and your permanent adhesive is gone.

Best Products To Remove Adhesive From Vinyl Flooring

Here are a few amazing products that will help you get your job done a lot quicker.

Goo Gone Liquid Surface Adhesive Cleaner.
Elmer's Sticky Out Adhesive Remover.
Bostik Adhesive Remover.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Coming to the end, we all want our homes to look spick and span, that's why we eventually choose the best products that money can buy, Vinyl flooring looks elegant and is cost-effective. Though adhesive stains can ruin the look of your room, if you know the steps on how to remove glue from vinyl flooring, you are good to go. Make sure to take proper care of your vinyl floor so that it lasts longer and looks impressive.