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Have you ever had to remove the glue that is holding vinyl flooring down? If so, then you know that it can be a frustrating and time-consuming process. The good news is that there are some ways to make this process much easier. In this post, we share with you How To Remove Vinyl Flooring Glue From Plywood.
The first thing that you need to do is score the vinyl flooring glue with a utility knife. You want to make sure that you don’t cut too deeply into the plywood though. Just make sure that the blade is sharp so that it can easily slice through the adhesive. Once you have scored the adhesive, you will want to heat it up with a heat gun. You don’t want to set the temperature too high though or you could damage the plywood. Just make sure that the area is well-ventilated before starting this process.
What Is Vinyl Flooring Glue?
Vinyl flooring glue is a sticky adhesive that is used to hold down the vinyl tiles. This type of tile can be found in either sheet or roll form and it has a thin layer on top with an embedded pattern underneath.
When you are removing this type of glue, make sure not to peel up any parts of the actual tile since the thin layer of vinyl is what gives the tile pattern. If this happens, then you will be ruining your flooring.
Why Would You Want To Remove Vinyl Flooring Glue From Plywood?
There are a few reasons that you might want to remove the glue.
a) Maybe the vinyl flooring was installed incorrectly and now it is peeling up or maybe there is just no longer any use for this type of flooring in your space.
b) The most common reason though, would be because you want to replace it with something else! Either way, you will need to remove the glue before doing so.
When Should You Remove Vinyl Flooring Glue From Plywood?
1. In case you are going to be replacing the vinyl flooring.
If this is the case, then it means that you will need to remove all of the glue from underneath and also make sure that there isn’t any residue left on your plywood sub-floor. This way, when you go to install a new floor, later on, nothing will get in the way.
2. When the glue is causing damage to your plywood sub-floor.
If there are sections of your flooring that have started lifting and this is because your vinyl tile adhesive has begun damaging it, then it’s time for removal as well. If you neglect to do so, then chances are high that those pieces will start separating from the floor and you will be in for a mess.
3. If you are going to be painting or staining it.
This is because any adhesive left behind can cause stains and residue on top of your flooring which will truly ruin the final look that you have been trying so hard to achieve.
Factors To Consider When Removing Vinyl Flooring Glue From Plywood
There are a variety of factors that you will need to consider when removing the glue. These factors include:
- What type of glue was used in the installation process? If it were an oil-based adhesive then there may be some issues with just using water or steam. You might have success by applying heat so this would be your best option.
But if the glue is water-based then you can likely use a scraper or putty knife.
- What Condition Is The Plywood In?
The next thing that you will need to consider is what condition the plywood flooring is under your vinyl flooring and how much damage was done during installation. If there are large gouges, cracks, or areas where the plywood has separated from the subfloor then you will need to patch those first before removing the glue.
Tools Needed To Remove Vinyl Flooring Glue From Plywood
There are a few tools that you will need to successfully remove the glue.
a) A putty knife
This will help you to remove as much of the glue as possible without causing damage to your flooring or subfloor.
b) A scraper
This is another great way to scrape off any excess glue that was not removed with the putty knife. You can even use this tool if sanding is required.
c) Steam cleaner with a hard surface attachment
If there is still some adhesive left behind, then you can use this tool to help loosen it up so that it
d) Heat gun and gloves
If you want to use heat to help soften the glue then you will need a heat gun and some protective gloves. This is usually the best way if your adhesive was oil-based.
e) Screwdriver
If the glue is holding your vinyl flooring down with nails then you will want a screwdriver to remove them. You can also use this tool if any screws were used during installation but they aren’t required for all installations.
f) Sander or sandpaper
If your glue is hard to remove then you will need something with more power. A sander would work well but some people can use their handheld orbital sander for this process too. It all depends on the size of the adhesive residue that needs removing. You might even want wet/dry sandpaper for this process to get the best results.
g) Reciprocating saw or miter saw
If you are trying to cut out the adhesive residue then this is not a process that can be done by hand. You will need some type of reciprocating saw or even better, a miter saw to get through the glue and plywood without damaging either. This would give you great results.
h) Oscillating saw
This might sound like a strange tool but it can be extremely helpful in this process! An oscillating saw would enable you to cut through the glue without removing or damaging any of the plywood underneath. You are just cutting out the adhesive so only use this if there is no other option available.
i) Brick chisel
This is one of the less common tools but it can be very helpful in this process. This would give you great results if there are large chunks of adhesive residue that need to be removed without damaging any other part of your flooring.
j) Pry bar
This tool might not be needed but it is a good idea to have one in case you need additional leverage.
k) Screws and nails
If you are trying to remove the glue from under a vinyl flooring installation that was nailed down then it is best to use screws or even better, an oscillating saw. This would be your best option in this situation.
It can also help if there were some on top of the plywood but only if they aren’t completely covering the whole area.
l) Bully flooring scraper
This scraper is one of the best tools that you can use for this process. This would be great to help with any adhesive residue left behind and it won’t damage your plywood either.
Related: How to Clean Wood Handrail in Simple Steps
How to Remove Vinyl Flooring Glue From Plywood In 10 Easy Steps
Step One
Remove the nails or screws if your vinyl flooring was attached to them. An oscillating saw would be ideal for this process. If not then you can use a screwdriver to help loosen up any that are stuck in there too.
Step Two
Use a putty knife to remove as much of the adhesive residue as possible from the plywood.
Step Three
Use a scraper to remove any excess glue that was not able to be removed through other methods. You can even use this tool if sanding is required too although it might take you longer since there isn’t much power behind this method.
Step Four
If there is still some adhesive left on the plywood then you can use a heat gun to help soften it up. Make sure that the adhesive is warm before using a scraper or sandpaper.
Step Five
Use an oscillating saw, reciprocating saw, or even a miter saw to cut out any excess glue residue that was left behind by other means. You will need to use caution when doing this.
Step Six
Use sandpaper to smooth out any adhesive residue that was left behind. Make sure it is completely flush with the plywood before moving on to the next step.
Step Seven
Apply some paint or wood filler onto the area of your choice and let it dry for a couple of hours. You can accomplish this by using a small paintbrush or even a rag to apply the wood filler.
Step Eight
Use an orbital sander to sand down any area that is still raised from painting it with either paint or wood filler. Make sure you use some type of masking tape if needed. It would be best for you to sand it down as much as necessary to make the area completely flush with the plywood.
Step Nine
Use a paintbrush or roller and some paint inside your preferred color of choice. This will help you hide any areas that were still raised from painting and wood filler and also give you an even look for having adhesive residue removed.
Step Ten
Make sure that you use a vacuum or your preferred method of choice to clean up any dust left behind. This will help prevent it from accumulating onto the paint and wood filler while they are drying.
Importance Of Using Vinyl Flooring Glue On Plywood
- It is a great way to prevent any kind of warping or shifting from happening, which can happen quite commonly with wood flooring.
- It helps reduce such an occurrence by as much as 50%.
- This will help keep the plywood in place and make it more sturdy for walking on too.
- You won’t have to worry about flooring glue for plywood shifting or moving around.
- It will help keep the wood in place without any issues too.
- This can also help prevent squeaking from happening either which is a nice added benefit
- The adhesive that you would use on your vinyl flooring installation won’t be able to seep through your plywood.
- It can help give you a nice and even look as well.
Safety Precautions When Removing Flooring Glue On Plywood
It is always a good idea to incorporate safety precautions whenever you are working with any kind of adhesive, as well. This way nobody gets hurt in the process and nothing bad happens either.
These precautions include:
- You will want to wear some type of gloves and goggles, as it is a good idea for you to do so when working with any kind of adhesive.
It would be best if you were wearing clothes that protected your skin from getting stuck on the glue either. This way nothing happens where it shouldn’t.
- Make sure that there aren’t any children or pets around when doing this project as well! It is always better to be safe than sorry.
- If you are trying to remove the glue with tools then make sure that they do not have sharp edges at all or else it might cut your skin open. This way nothing happens where it shouldn’t either and nobody gets hurt in the process.
FAQs
Q: Will this work on any type of plywood?
A: It should work on any type of plywood as long as it is sealed. You will want to make sure that the area is well ventilated too.
Q: How long does it take for the adhesive to dry?
A: It usually takes around 24 hours for the adhesive to dry completely.
Q: What if I can’t remove all of the glue?
A: You can always use sandpaper to smooth out any adhesive residue that was left behind. Make sure it is completely flush with the plywood before moving on to the next step.
Q: How do I know if the area is completely dry?
A: You can usually tell if the area is completely dry by touch. If it feels tacky or sticky then it probably isn’t dry yet. Give it a little more time to dry before moving on to the next step.
Q: What should I do if there are still raised areas after painting?
A: You can always use sandpaper to smooth out any raised areas. Make sure it is completely flush with the plywood before moving on to the next step.
Q: What type of paint should I use?
A: It doesn’t matter what type of paint you use as long as it is a color that you like. Just make sure that it is compatible with the type of wood that you are using.
Q: What if I can’t find any paint that I like?
A: You can always use a clear sealer to give the plywood a nice, even finish. This way you won’t have to worry about finding the perfect color paint. Just make sure that it is compatible with the type of wood that you are using.
Q: What if I want to stain the plywood instead?
A: That is completely up to you. Just make sure that you use a stain that is compatible with the type of wood that you are using.
Conclusion On How To Remove Vinyl Flooring Glue From Plywood
In conclusion, it is important to know how to remove vinyl flooring glue from plywood before beginning your project. This way you can avoid any potential accidents and make sure that the job is done correctly. It is always best to be safe than sorry when working with any kind of adhesive. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to ask in the comments section below. Thanks for reading.
