Removing Tile Adhesive from Porcelain Tile: 5 Ways [Tips & Tricks]

Porcelain tiles are the strongest, durable, and have immense density. These tiles are mostly used where frost-proof is required. The best thing about porcelain tile is it gets hardly affected by tears and wear. Porcelain tiles are mostly installed for their density in sinks or baths, basements, and places where the tiles have to fight the water.

However, a concrete floor is also suitable for all the areas that we’ve mentioned before. But removing tile adhesive from porcelain tile and the concrete floor is not an easy task until you are adopting the right ways for it. Tiling a place and not knowing that how to remove or what products might help in removing tile adhesive can bring disaster to the place.

Therefore, we took it into our account seriously and decided to provide all the information you need to get rid of the adhesive from your porcelain tile.

Adhesive Remover Options You Should Use to Break Down Floor Tile Adhesive:

Tile adhesive can be removed taking many options. But before that, you need to know what kind of adhesive has stuck on your floor. Besides, to get an adhesive remover you need to be wise. Because all options for removing tile adhesive might not useful for your floor tile. Therefore, adopting the removers that we’re going to discuss below would take away the adhesive without affecting the surface is needed.

Soy-Based Adhesive Remover:

Soy-based adhesive remover is the remover that comes with an effective formula to pull out the adhesive from the tough areas. It contains propane and the primal ingredient of the remover is soybean oil. Both these ingredients are useful to remove even the industrial-grade adhesive.

This efficient remover is stronger because of the soybean oil. Besides, it not only helps in breaking down the internal bond of the adhesive but it also clears away the residue as well. The only thinkable fact about the remover is it takes hours to affect the adhesive on the surface.

Citrus-Based Adhesive Remover:

If you are searching for a remover that is capable of removing adhesive that is not cured for a long time then citrus-based adhesive remover can be one of your options. This remover has a tricky effect on adhesive as it is extracted from fruits with citrus chemicals.

To make the remover more reliable, the right amount of propane, sulfur, chloride, halogen, and other chemicals are added. For your household floor tiles, this remover would be a great choice. Since Goo Gone manufactures removers thinking citrus as one of the primal ingredients, this citrus-based remover is trustworthy.

Solvent-Based Adhesive Remover:

This remover is the powerful one for a satisfying cleaning of stubborn adhesive. Any tough and cured adhesive gets no way to be spared from the solvent-based remover. This remover finds every way to penetrate deeply to a cured adhesive and works soulfully to break down the strong bonds of the particles.

The remover works greatly with its high chemical ingredients like toluene, benzene, xylene, and so on. These chemicals are highly toxic and should be handled with proper care. Therefore, if you use solvent-based adhesive remover, just follow the instructions that are labeled on the container.

Greener Adhesive Remover:

A lot of people are very aware of saving the environment, its eco-system, and its friendly gestures. Therefore, they prefer no harmful chemicals in the adhesive remover. Greener adhesive remover is that kind of a remover. It comes with suitable chemicals and sustainable results.

Though the greener product has not yet gained its recognition, it’s showing its effectiveness by a hard performance by loosening adhesive from the floor tile. Besides, it assures safety, non-toxicity, and biodegradable formula.

5 Ways to Remove Tile Adhesive from Porcelain Tiles and Concrete Floor:

Removing tile adhesive requires a lot of labor no matter how convenient way you are pursuing it. Tile adhesive is stubborn and sometimes they require extraordinary machines to be removed properly. However, we’ve come out with some ways to wipe out tile adhesive from your surface using some useful tools. Let’s check them out.

Flooring Chisel:

The flooring chisel is a very useful tool as it is handy and works finely in removing tile adhesive. This tool is safe for the surface where it requires deep scrapping. To start your job of removing tile adhesive, this flooring chisel with its broad edge will help you a lot. It has the capability to make your job half-done.

However, this flooring chisel should be used in removing thin-tile adhesive. Besides, using the flooring chisel in small areas would be better as it requires less labor. A hammer can be used on the other side of the tool to remove hard tile adhesive and chisel out wood perfectly.

Oscillating Tool:

An oscillating tool can be another best option to remove tile adhesive from your concrete floor. This tool comes with an attachment of a scraper. This scraper works effectively on thin-tile adhesive as well. Also, this oscillating tool is very comfortable and handy to do jobs in small areas.

However, though the tool provides a proper result, it can be a lot of work for a larger space. So, if you intend to remove thin-tile adhesive from small areas, this tool is maneuverable for you for sure.

Flooring Adhesive Stripper:

We recommend flooring stripper because it makes the work a lot easy though it’s a long-term process. The flooring adhesive stripper requires a little more to work effectively. One coat of flooring stripper is not always often for layered tile adhesive. In a circumstance like this, a second or third coat of the stripper is required.

Besides, the coating needs time to break down the tile adhesive at first. If you want a better result, keep the coating over a night and scrape or chisel the adhesive the next day. If the adhesive doesn’t come out properly, apply a second or third coat of the stripper. However, this job also requires labor like the other two tools above.

Heavy Duty Floor Scraper:

We chose a heavy-duty Floor Scraper to remove tile adhesive of larger areas. You can get this tool from your nearer hardware store. They rent the tool and charge per hour. Also, this tool is almost 4o inches high. So, before you borrow this stripper make sure you can fit it into the area.

A new blade is required to start the job with the stripper. You might need to pay for the blade as well. But, this stripper is a very big deal to remove hard tile adhesive in the larger spaces.

Stand Up Floor Scraper:

Stand-up floor scraper is a savior for those people who suffer from back pain as the tool carries a feet option. Though it comes with the same design as a scraper or chisel, this tool is more convenient to use. It also requires less labor.

The only fact about the stand-up floor scraper is for larger spaces, using the tool might be tiring. Therefore, use the tool for small areas.

How to Remove Sticky Residue from Tile Floors:

Tile floors are easily affected by sticky residue. It also damages the beauty of the tile floor to some extent. Besides, sticky residue attracts dust and debris. If you are conscious about keeping your floor clean, then you might adopt some procedures to clean the sticky residue from your tile floor.

However, the type of floor tile matters in cleaning the sticky residue as not all kinds of tiles can withstand every type of cleaner. Therefore, we are going to give you tips based on the type of floor tile.

2 Methods for Removing Tile Adhesive from Porcelain Tile:

Method 1. Process of Removing Sticky Residue from Stone, Porcelain, and Ceramic Tile Floors:

A stone, ceramic, or porcelain tile floor provides great hardness to the surface. Also, this kind of floor tile doesn’t require much to remove sticky residue. Let’s check out the process for your convenience.

Step 1: Collect Materials:

The first thing for this job is to collect useful materials to accomplish the work. And for this, we are going to need,

1. A rag
2. War water
3. White vinegar
4. Mop bucket

Step 2: Placing Damp Rag:

The next thing you have to do is soak a rag in warm water. Then wring the rag out till it emits all the extra water from it and comes to a damp condition. After that, place the damp rag on the sticky residue of the floor tile.

Step 3: Let the Rag Rest:

After you place the damp rag on the sticky residue, let the residue soak it for 15-20 minutes. Within this time, the residue will start to loosen its bond and the molecules will break down as well.

Step 4: Make the Vinegar Solution:

Then you need to make a vinegar solution by adding warm water and white vinegar together. Use one cup of vinegar. Take a mop bucket and pour one gallon of hot water into it. Pour one cup of vinegar in it and mix it properly.

Step 5: Mop the Floor with the Solution:

The last thing you need to do is to mop the floor with the vinegar solution. Vinegar works great as a cleaner and the stone, porcelain, or ceramic types of tile floors can withstand the solution effectively. This solution breaks down the residue and wipes out the remaining dust with it. Thus, the floor looks completely fresh and clean.

Method 2. Process of Removing Sticky Residue from Vinyl, Linoleum, and Rubber Tile Floors:

If you installed vinyl, linoleum, or rubber types of floor tiles on the surface, then you’ve to be cautious about choosing the right type of cleaning for the job. Using vinegar might destroy these types of floor tiles. Therefore, you need to follow the following steps to get a proper result.

Step 1: Collect Materials:

Again, the first thing is to collect the important materials for the job. The materials you need for the job is,

1. Water
2. Mop bucket
3. Detergent
4. Rag

Step 2: Make Detergent Solution:

Take a gallon of water and mix detergent in it. Don’t use too much detergent. Take a limited amount and mix them together in a mop bucket.

Step 3: Soak a Rag:

For the next job, take a rag and soak it into the mixture of detergent and water. Wring the rag and pull out almost all the moisture from it.

Step4: Place the Damp Rag:

Then, place the damp or almost dried rag on the sticky residue. Make sure you are placing the rag only on the residue and spare the other places around it. Let it rest on the surface for 10 to 15 minutes.

Step 5: Remove the Rag and Mop the Floor:

After 10 or 15 minutes, remove the rag from the surface and mop the whole space with the same solution properly. Rub the residue with the mop gently yet effectively. It will help to remove the residue tremendously.

Step 6: Wipe the Floor with Clear Water:

The last job is to wipe the floor with clean water. Make sure no detergent solution is left on the surface. Otherwise, it will attract dust and the tiles might warp. Also, the remaining detergent will cause to happen more residues afterward.

Tips: For strong tile floors like porcelain, vinyl, or ceramic, you can use an abrasive brush or scrubber that has a mild effect. This scrubber pulls out residue without affecting good tiles

FAQs:

Question: How to Remove Grout Haze From Porcelain Tile and Ceramic?

Answer: Removing grout haze from porcelain tile and ceramic almost requires the same process. You can simply use a grout sponge and warm water to remove the haze. Make sure the grout sponge is squeezed properly to remove all the excess water. Then rub the haze in back and forth motion until the haze vanishes.

You can also adopt the vinegar remedy. Take an equal amount of water and vinegar. Then mix them together and pour them into a bottle. Set the bottle with a nozzle and hose pipe and spray the whole remedy on the grout haze. Let the haze soak the solution for some time and then rub the place gently. You’ll see the grout haze coming out from the place.

Question: How do you remove dried tile adhesive from tile?

Answer: You can simply use a chisel and hammer to break down the hardened dried tile adhesive from tile. You can also use a scraper. This is an easy way if the job is for a small place. Scrape the dried tile adhesive and it will come out of the floor.

You can use different kinds of tile adhesive remover as well. Besides, the floor stripper works finely in removing dried tile adhesive as well. However, if you want to go with the home remedy process, then the baking soda solution will be a great help.

Removing Tile Adhesive from Porcelain Tile is not an easy task, but it is easy when you have some tools, materials, tile adhesive remover, or floor stripper and a Floor Scraper. Those will help you to Remove Sticky Residue from Vinyl, Linoleum, and Rubber Tile Floors.

Last Updated on August 26, 2021 by Rogers Weber

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