How do I remove backing from tile squares

Deanna
by Deanna

i removed 2 layers of linoleum tile squares ( from 1972) with a scrapper and there is a brown/black residue that is still on the foundation. How do I get it off, it doesn’t come off with just a scrapper? I’m putting vinyl planks down to replace the squares. And does it need to be removed

  10 answers
  • Kmdreamer Kmdreamer on Sep 03, 2018

    Try heating it up with a blow dryer as it heats up scrap with a putty knif

  • Kelli L. Milligan Kelli L. Milligan on Sep 04, 2018

    If you have it basically flat it should be ok to go under your new luan subfloor you should add before your vinyl planks


  • JOANIE COMPTON JOANIE COMPTON on Sep 04, 2018

    If it is a glue type backing, you might try GooGone. It should soften it up for you to scrape up with a putty knife or scraper.

  • If it's flat, it should be good to install over what you have. If there are protruding bits, you can scrape it off with a razor blade scraper. They make ones for floors that are attached to long sticks and are very sturdy.


  • 2dogal 2dogal on Sep 04, 2018

    If you really need it all to be gone - rent a sander.

  • Julie Herr Julie Herr on Sep 04, 2018

    Some older flooring mastic (and tiles) contain asbestos. If that were the case, overlaying it with a luan subflooring would be preferable to disturbing it.

  • Phaedra Phaedra on Sep 04, 2018

    Boiling hot water will reactivate that glue. Then you can wipe it up with rags, But its extremely messy.


    Since youre installing another floor I would just get it as flat as possible and then put down underlayment.

  • Matt Matt on Sep 04, 2018

    You'll need a heat gun, a good scraper and a empty weekend.

  • William William on Nov 02, 2018

    That is a tar based adhesive used back in the day. All great suggestions. Anything hot will soften the adhesive so you can scrape up. I don't recommend a heat gun or blow dryer. The fumes will be horrible. You can also try Citristrip stripper. It may work. I do hope the tiles you removed didn't have asbestos in them. If the tiles were 9" square and stiff they were asbestos and you spread particles all over. You may need to have the air quality checked out.

  • Dee Dee on Nov 04, 2018

    You can Pour a small amount of adhesive-removing solvent over any remaining residue that is left behind once you remove the adhesive. But if it is flat, just clean it up and lay the floor over it. You could also use a self leveling material that you buy at Home Depot, and put over it. Then lay the floor, that is what I did in my den.