Most people have seen the 12-inch square floor tiles that have a peel off back that is sticky. These are usually made of some type of vinyl and they are designed to be installed over the top of an older sheet-vinyl or linoleum floor. Sometimes several layers of vinyl tile are installed over the years and eventually it is necessary to remove one or more layers of sticky-back vinyl floor tiles in order to reduce the floor height and to get down to a workable sub floor or under layment. Unfortunately, these tiles are easier to install than they are to remove and you will need arm strength and patience to remove one or more layers of floor.
Instructions
1. Pry at the edges and corners of tiles that are damaged or loose using a flat screw driver. Find a loose section and pry upward. If the tile was installed over a dirty floor, the adhesive may be spotty and separate more easily. Once a single tile is removed, you should be able to use a scraper.
2. Cut the tile from corner to corner forming an X using a utility knife. Apply heat with a heat gun and lift the tiles using a scraper. It is often helpful to have one person applying the heat and a second person standing and shoving the blade of the scraper under the loosening tile.
3. Discard tiles immediately, so that you don't trip on chunks as you try to pry the tiles up. If several layers of tiles exist, the tiles will sometimes lift as groups and it may be necessary to strip all layers of flooring from the top tile to the wood sub floor. This may require several days of floor stripping. In some cases, the bottom layer lifts sooner than layers in between.
4. Wear rubber gloves and use a hand scrubber and an adhesive dissolver solution to dissolve the residues of adhesive. You may need to do this after every row of tile, so that you don't stick as you try to work. The solution may also soften the adhesives on the tiles you have cut with a utility knife, making them easier to remove.
5. Work systematically across the room so that you have a flat and clean place to stand while scraping, and so that you feel you have accomplished something if the tile is particularly hard to remove. Wash the underlying floor with soap and water after using the remover solution
Tips & Warnings
Heat is the strongest component in activating the old adhesive. Go slowly with the heat gun for best results.
Floors more than 20 years old may contain asbestos. Take a sample to your local asbestos testing center before trying to remove the floor. If the floor has asbestos then it must be removed by special contractors for homeowner safety.
This article is about Floor Tiles. Know more about Floor Tile
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=F._R._R._Mallory
