Changing old flooring can transform the appearance of a room.

Whether you want to replace scratched, damaged, or just old-looking floorboards, the effort is well worth the results.

But because it’s such an extensive project, you’ll probably want to make your job easier.

A floor adhesive remover will save you a lot of time and energy.

Once the old floorboards are gone, you’re left with a layer of dried adhesive.

If you’re doing multiple or one large room, scraping all the old, dried glue will take forever. That’s where floor adhesive remover or carpet glue remover comes in.

This powerful product can help you break down and soften the old glue for easier removal.

Keep reading for other amazing adhesive removers! These products will make floor renovation a breeze!

Why You Should Remove Old Adhesive

You’re still only halfway done after removing the old floorboards. There are usually a lot of adhesives still left behind.

It might be tempting to forget about it and add the new adhesive on top. This would certainly cut you a lot of time and extra expenses in the short term.

But you’re way better off starting with a clean slate. Here’s why.

First, the old layer of glue could reduce the performance of your new flooring glue.

The new adhesive won’t stick as well to the surface because the ground is uneven and hard to clean and prep.

The old glue is also likely to crack under the new adhesive layer, affecting the integrity of the new adhesive layer.

Then, there’s an additional potential risk. The old glue layer could harbor mold and mildew, which could spread to the new adhesive and eventually to the new flooring boards.

This could result in a shorter lifespan and more frequent replacement of flooring materials.

Last but not least, depending on how old the former flooring was, the adhesives used could contain dangerous mercury, lead, or asbestos levels.

You shouldn’t overlook these potential issues; there’s good reason to forego this important step when replacing old floors.

Also, check out my guide on how to remove glue from wood furniture for more info.

Adhesive Removal Options

There are two main options when it comes to removing old adhesives. First, there’s the traditional mechanical removal.

Then, chemical removal s a great option for tough-to-remove layers or large room flooring.

Let’s take a closer look at these two methods and at the tools, you’ll need to remove the flooring adhesive.

Mechanical removal is more time-consuming and energy-intensive. Removing leftover adhesive mechanically means you must break it and scrape it away by force.

You can choose between different tools to get this done.

The most laborious way would be with a chisel and hammer. This way takes very long, even for smaller rooms.

There’s also specialized equipment that helps. You can use grinding tools, such as those specifically designed for floor adhesive removal.

These come with special heads for all kinds of adhesives. They’ll save you a lot of time.

Chemical removal is less demanding. Instead of breaking the glue apart by force, here you rely on the chemical action of a solvent.

You apply the adhesive remover over the glue and let it soak for a few minutes.

The glue should dissolve and come apart without much effort. You can then remove any leftovers with a mechanical scraper if necessary.

Best Floor Adhesive Removers

Here are my recommendations for the best floor adhesive removers.

1. Goo Gone Pro-Power Professional Strength Adhesive Remover

This adhesive remover is a top pick not only due to its high effectiveness but also because of its versatility.

It’s suitable for most surfaces, including floor and finished wood, tile, carpet, fabric, wall, plastic, and painted surfaces.

It’s one of the best glues for wood around.

However, keep in mind that this product doesn’t interact well with unsealed stone or unfinished wood materials.

Besides being a professional-strength, fast-working adhesive remover, this product also breaks down silicone caulk, sealant, asphalt, grease, tar, wax, oil, wet paint, and tree sap, ink, marker, tape, and stickers.

This product is also excellent for removing carpet stains without causing damage.

This product acts fast and is easy to use. It also comes in different sizes for both small and large jobs.

You can also choose between gel and spray forms depending on your preferences and needs.

Whichever you choose, you’ll enjoy the fast and easy application and short working time.

You have to use the product to soften the old glue, after which you can scrub everything away.

Last but not least, there’s no unpleasant chemical odor. Unlike other adhesive removers, this product has a pleasant citrus smell.

But be careful, because this product can be fatal if swallowed. Keep out of reach of children.

Make sure your pets don’t come into contact with any product leftovers either.

2. 3M Specialty Adhesive Remover

3M Specialty Adhesive Remover is an easy-to-use, spray-on product with a short action time.

Reactive adhesives are usually very hard to break apart because of their high moisture, temperature, and solvents resistance.

But with this remover on hand, that won’t be an issue!

Heavy-duty adhesives such as epoxy, urethane, or silicone don’t stand a chance against this heavy-duty adhesive remover.

Any adhesive leftovers, no matter how large or how small, will break apart easily once exposed to this formula.

This stuff works on even the most stubborn glue residue.

Moreover, this adhesive remover can break apart solvent and non-solvent-based adhesives equally well.

It’s compatible with many different substrates, especially concrete, ceramic, vinyl, and tile material.

However, you shouldn’t use this product on wood.

3. Klein Strip Green Odorless Liquid Floor Adhesive Remover

This Klein Strip adhesive remover is both gentle and highly efficient. This formula can break down most types of adhesives, including liquid nails.

Check out my guide on glues for hardwood floors for more info.

It also acts against mastics. It’s safe for most substrates and unlikely to cause any damage.

It’s not as strong as the other options mentioned on this list, but it’s more than enough for basic household renovations.

Besides, this adhesive remover remains active for up to 24 hours, which should be sufficient for breaking down even stubborn spots.

Another great advantage is that this product contains no methylene chloride. It’s also odorless and less harsh on the skin.

This could be a great choice if you’re prone to skin sensitivity or allergic reactions from such products.

It’s also worth mentioning that this product makes a great bang for your buck. It comes in a container close to one gallon, and all for an affordable price.

It’s a great option if you need to use glue for plastic to wood.

4. Titan Multi-Purpose Scraper Set

This list wouldn’t be complete without some manual adhesive removal tools. And the Titan Multi-Purpose Scraper Set is a very good option at that.

This set comes with one 9-1/4″ multi-purpose scraper, a 4” mini scraper, a protective safety cap, and five extra heavy-duty replacement blades.

These tools are highly versatile, but they’re also very easy and comfortable to use, thanks to the ergonomic handle design.

You get increased grip and control, preventing fatigue when working on bigger projects.

These tools are also very durable. The heads are made of high-quality alloy steel, and the handles contain very impact-resistant polypropylene plastic.

Use the mini scraper tool for hard-to-reach places. The multi-purpose scraper’s long head lends itself well for heavy-duty work and wide areas.

These tools are safe to use for most surfaces and materials.

However, know that these scrapers don’t have very wide heads. Relying on these tools alone for adhesive removal won’t be the most effective plan of action.

But for removing stubborn leftovers, these tools are among the best.

5. Firecore FS18375 Tile & Flooring Adhesive Remover Bit

For heavy-duty, hands-on floor adhesive removal, this Firecore bit is the perfect option.

This chisel has an extra-wide 3” blade with a beveled edge for highly efficient adhesive removal. It’s universally compatible with air hammers with a 0.401” shank.

It’s also extremely durable. This chisel is made of Chromium-Molybdenum steel for increased strength and resistant blade sharpness.

The 7.5” length also makes this bit highly efficient for mortar removal.

You can use this tool to remove all types of adhesive, as well as old tiles, plaster, and more.

This professional-grade tool will make any flooring makeover project go a lot faster and smoother.

You can also use this heavy-duty bit for both small and extended areas.

This product is also a good option if you need glue for MDF.

Ways to Remove Floor Adhesive

Now that we’ve got the different adhesive removers, let’s go deeper into the how-to part.

You have more options depending on the floor area and how many adhesives are left after removing the floorboards.

You can use solvents, scraping tools, adhesive removal machines, or a combination thereof.

Manual scraping for small rooms

If you’re working in a small room and there’s not a lot of leftover adhesive, you might get away with just some manual scraping tools.

A wide-edged scraper is perfect for this type of job. But for the most part, any scraper and hammer will do. The process goes as you would imagine.

It will take some time, but you’re always up close and you won’t miss any stubborn spots.

However, if there are a lot of adhesives, or if the adhesive is very strong, you’ll need more than just scraping tools.

Solvent and scraping for very strong adhesive

This is also a good way to remove large quantities of adhesive, such as when working in a big room or when there’s a lot of leftover glue.

The solvent will break apart even the strongest bonds and make the adhesive easier to remove.

You won’t have to rely on force alone, and you’ll move faster when scraping the softened adhesive.

Remember that adhesive removers need time to act. There will be a waiting period before you can begin removing the glue.

Always check label instructions to figure out how long to soak the adhesive.

Solvent and heavy-duty tools for extreme jobs

This is a perfect choice if you want it done quickly and with little effort.

All you have to do is let the adhesive soak in the solvent. Then, use an air hammer with a wide-edged chisel.

A specialized floor grinder is even better if you have access to one.

This combination of methods is suitable in most situations, but especially if you’re working on an extensive project.

It’s very effective if you’re renovating a very large room, multiple rooms, or if you have a lot of strong leftover adhesive to get rid of.

Adhesive Remover Safety Precautions

Most floor adhesive removers are hazardous to health. They can cause strong, sensitive reactions upon exposure, potentially leading to respiratory problems after prolonged use.

You must take all the necessary safety measures when working with these products. Here are the best ways to protect yourself while working.

• Before anything else, read the product’s label instructions. Only use the adhesive remover as indicated by the manufacturer.
• Ensure that the area where you’re working is very well ventilated. This is to avoid the buildup of toxic fumes from the product.
• Wear a respirator to avoid inhaling the toxic fumes. These fumes can also cause eye tearing and irritation, so don’t skip eye protection. Most paint respirators are great, but a respirator with safety goggles is best.
• Avoid direct skin contact. Wear thick gloves made from a chemical-resistant material such as rubber. These solvents could melt through thin plastic gloves, leaving your skin exposed.
• Wear thick clothing and don’t leave your skin exposed. Also, wear chemical-resistant rubber work boots. This is the best way to avoid skin irritation and other negative reactions.

Wrap-up

Removing floor adhesive doesn’t have to be a long and physically demanding process.

With the help of a powerful adhesive remover, you can save a lot of time and energy, and still get the results that you want.

You can always rely on the Goo Gone Pro-Power adhesive remover. It’s the perfect product for all types of flooring renovations.

You can also try any other solvents on the list or whichever product is available in your area.

Just remember to look for a substrate-compatible one. Also, check if the solvent works with the type of adhesive you must remove.

Also, remember to take the necessary safety precautions when working with these powerful products.