So I'm removing some vinyl flooring right now in the bathroom

[micrometers]

there was a flood and it ruined the vinyl flooring. So I'm removing it and replacing it. When I try to remove it, like it splits in half so the adhesive part is still on the concrete floor and the vinyl part goes off. I'm trying to remove the adhesive part.

I'm using an electric scraper and water to get rid of it. It is taking a long time. Is there a better way. Also I have to get it off in the toilet area, but the toilet is in the way. Should I find a way to remove the toilet, or work around it?

 

[1sikbITCH]

http://www.franmar.com/mastic-removal/

Completely organic, no chemical stench. Little pricey just to do the bathroom though. I'd look for something cheaper.

 

[pcgeek11]

It is a pain, but worth the effort. Are you recovering with vinyl or what? If you are recovering the floor in vinyl you need to make sure you get it all up smooth or the tiniest little piece of trash will show as a bump on your new floor.

You probably do need to remove the toilet.

 

[paperfist]

The commercial version of goof off (not water based) will remove the adhesive, but it stinks to high heaven. You might be able to heat up the tile with a heat gun (blow dryer might also work) to soften the adhesive underneath and remove everything as a whole.

Pulling the toilet is pretty easy and would make for a better job especially when it comes to reinstalling the floor. You could just cut around it with a razor for now to remove it.

 

[Blackjack200]

Pulling the toilet is pretty easy and would make for a better job especially when it comes to reinstalling the floor. You could just cut around it with a razor for now to remove it.

Just make sure you stuff a rag in the waste pipe if you do this.

 

[Modelworks]

Use a heat gun with the stripper attachment. It is like a spatula that fits on the end.

 

[Fausto]

You had me at "Stripper Attachment".

 

[spacejamz]

Use a heat gun with the stripper attachment. It is like a spatula that fits on the end.

What aisle are the 'stripper attachments' in at Home Depot??? LOL

 

[Jeffg010]

Belt sander
http://benchmark.20m.com/reviews/RidgidBeltSander/RidgidBeltSanderReview.html

 

[Squisher]

Belt sander
http://benchmark.20m.com/reviews/RidgidBeltSander/RidgidBeltSanderReview.html

At this point, that would just clog.


Heat gun is where to start. Using chemicals right now could very well not work because there is half a layer of vinyl between the chemicals and the adhesive.

Jasco makes an old hard adhesive remover and Bio-wash has their foam off, when you get to that point.

 

[DougK62]

What is the new floor that you're putting down? I had this same problem in my bathroom and decided to put porcelain tile down. They make thinset that is designed to go right over the glue. It worked great for me.

 

[Fausto]

What about just tearing up the subflooring itself and starting over? Kind of a pain, but I'd rather cut a few pieces of Durock and screw them in than spend a week scraping.

 

[Jeffg010]

At this point, that would just clog.


Heat gun is where to start. Using chemicals right now could very well not work because there is half a layer of vinyl between the chemicals and the adhesive.

Jasco makes an old hard adhesive remover and Bio-wash has their foam off, when you get to that point.

I never had it clog this is what I used when I did my bathroom floor. The adhesive should have harden enough by now that with a belt sander it should just turn to dust.

 

[marvdmartian]

It is a pain, but worth the effort. Are you recovering with vinyl or what? If you are recovering the floor in vinyl you need to make sure you get it all up smooth or the tiniest little piece of trash will show as a bump on your new floor.

You probably do need to remove the toilet.

Otherwise, in 5 years, if you need to replace the toilet, and it's not the same exact footprint as the one you have now, guess what? LOOKS LIKE CRAP!!

 

[Red Squirrel]

How old is this floor?

Just make sure it's not asbestoes. If it is, wear a mask and try to keep the dust down/contained to that room.

 

[DrPizza]

Heat gun. Also, they make a special scraper - it's sort of like a putty knife, but the end is a special razor blade that's 4" long.
http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc...langId=-1&keyword=razor scraper&storeId=10051
http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc...langId=-1&keyword=razor scraper&storeId=10051

Use that + heat gun.

 

[nickbits]

How old is this floor?

Just make sure it's not asbestoes. If it is, wear a mask and try to keep the dust down/contained to that room.

This

 

[ImpulsE69]

Saw this today. Getting ready to do the same thing in my bathroom. Looked pretty nifty.

http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/005897.php

 

[Motorheader]

How old is this floor?

Just make sure it's not asbestoes. If it is, wear a mask and try to keep the dust down/contained to that room.

THIS as noted previous. Depending on the age of the vinyl and/or the mastic they can both contain asbestos. If it's tiles and they are 7x7 you are almost guaranteed asbestos. Simply wearing a dust mask is useless - you need a purple filter respirator, bunny suit (tyvek), spray bottle/mister, and good air flow. Any vacuum cleaner used should be thrown out.

 

[paperfist]

Use a heat gun with the stripper attachment. It is like a spatula that fits on the end.

My heat gun didn't come with one of those, what the hell is it? Sounds like I could melt snow with it. Oh wait, it doesn't snow anymore