We started peeling up the squares of vinyl flooring in one of our bedrooms. The old guy had a commode in there and we had to deal with the smell.
We removed the topmost layer in a few hours along with the bulk of the smell. What’s left is a thin layer of floor adhesive over mostly-intact commercial asphalt tiles. I called Armstrong’s support line to get the best way to remove the adhesive.
The woman at Armstrong says they recommend I use a “scraper with soap and water before installing a new Armstrong floor”.
I tried to explain that I wasn’t going to install a new floor I just wanted to remove the adhesive. I wasn’t surprised when she repeated her canned statement. I told her when I figured it out I’d post it on my web site.
My gut instinct said “mineral spirits” and a stop by Kosinskis Hardware confirms this but they were out. Meanwhile hot soapy water had no affect on the adhesive. We’ll wait until Kosinskis gets a re-stock and try again.
Before any repairs we’ll be treating the floor with urine-off which I ordered last week. Hopefully the product will live up to it’s claim to destroy all the urea crystals still left in the cracks.
Hamtramck Star
Run out of Ypsilanti since 2005
Ooops. Wrong thread.
Savogran makes the best adhesive removers (800) 225-9872. I’ve found them only at Damman’s hardware stores. Make sure you get the right kind because they make about twenty types.
http://www.savogran.com/Retail_Products/Removing_Products/removing_products.html
Glen Haege! Thanks for the tip.
Since I needed some anyway, I picked up some mineral spirits last night and didn’t get time to try it out on the floor.
If (when) that fails I’ll check out the Savogran products. Thank you for posting!
I just sent a request to your website to see on what stations your radio show is broadcast in Detroit.
Mon-Fri: Noon – 2 p.m.
on WXDX 1310 AM Talk Radio Detroit.
Sat-Sun: 8 a.m. – Noon
on WDFN, 1130 AM Sports Radio Detroit.
Thank you sir! I’ll be sure to tune you in this weekend while I’m smashing fingers the new house!
Thanks again for posting.
Luckily the mineral spirits are working very nicely to remove the adhesive (no help from Armstrong).
We typically have an aversion to more expensive products but will resort to them if all else fails. Three quarts of mineral spirits was less than $5.
I few of the commercial 9×9 tiles are missing and a few will have to be replaced. After we get the floor good and clean we can start the next phase.
I’m a little late, I know. Mineral Spirits is combustible, so it is important that there is no source of ignition. This means extinguish pilot lights and don’t smoke! Also no cooking.
Anyway, there is a place called Chemical Technology, Inc. on Mt. Elliott just south of McNichols. They make adhesive, and can help with issues like this. They have a cleaner, CTI 3030 which is less flammable and water rinseable. Or D’limonene might work- it smells like citrus.
I’m the Technical Director.
Dan
Nice, that’s right in the neighborhood. We’ve got a lot more projects so we’ll have to head over there and see what you’ve got.
Got anything to strip 80 years of paint off of wood trim? We’ve started using Savogran Strypeze and it’s a bit noxious.