Thickness is also a good indicator of quality, and it’s worth reading customer reviews, if possible, to check for complaints regarding tiles lifting or installation issues. Look for manufacturers that offer product guarantees as standard. The quality of the product will have the biggest impact on lifespan, and if you are not aiming for a quick-fix solution, it does pay to invest more in high quality peel and stick tiles. The longevity of peel and stick tiles depends on several factors. You can expect peel and stick tiles to last at least five years, if not longer. Modern peel and stick tiles are designed to stick and stay stuck, which is one of the reasons removing them can prove tricky. For the excess glue left behind, use a good quality specialist glue remover and follow the instructions supplied,’ advises Mike Head, director, Atlas Ceramics. ‘Instead, remove any remaining adhesive using a scraper tool. In the case of ceramic/porcelain tiles or any other flooring installed using wet cementitious adhesives, you will need to ensure the sub-floor is dust-free and non-porous, which means baking soda is out. This is a smart move if you are laying carpet, click-fit laminate or fresh peel and stick tile. Some people choose to scatter baking soda over the floor and then vacuum to blot any remaining stickiness before new flooring is installed. Any holes or patches of lifted plaster should be remedied using a suitable filler. A light sanding should sort minor glue spots.
However, you will need to achieve a reasonably smooth surface so focus your attentions on any major lumps and use a scraper to get rid of them. If you are re-covering the floor or wall, either with fresh peel and stick tiles or alternatives, it’s not always necessary to remove every last scrap of adhesive. What you do next will depend on your plans for your newly tile-free surface. Once all the tiles have been lifted and removed from the room, it’s time to assess the damage. An old piece of timber or strong cardboard will be handy for removing this glue from your scraper! 4.
If you spot a large gloop of glue on the floor or wall, take your scraper and attempt to scrape it off while still warm. It’s wise to work methodically, from left to right or vice versa, disposing of the lifted tiles as you go. Keep removing tilesĬontinue the heating and prising process one tile at a time until they have all been removed.
Take care not to gauge the floor or wall as you hammer your tool under. To speed up progress, you can take the flat end of your pry bar or chisel and hammer it gently beneath the tile at a slight angle, about 40 degrees, until the whole piece lifts up. Don’t apply too much force, or the tile may snap, especially if it is old and brittle. Work from one corner to the next, gently prising up the tile. Once the glue has been sufficiently softened, the corners of the tile should easily lift when you insert a pry bar or chisel under the edge. Depending on the thickness of the tile and your heating method, it shouldn’t take more than 30 seconds to a minute to melt the adhesive beneath a tile. When using an iron, always place a towel between the iron and tile, again to prevent noxious scorching. A heat gun can be used in a similar way to a hairdryer but take care not to scorch the tile as the fumes could be unpleasant or even dangerous.
If you have a large area of tile to remove, consider using an iron or heat gun instead to prevent your hairdryer from potentially overheating and breaking. ‘Heating the tiles can help as it softens the adhesive – try running a hairdryer over the tiles, an inch or two from the surface.’ ‘The best way to get peel and stick tiles to lift up in one go is to first apply heat,’ says Harriet Goodacre, Tile Consultant, Topps Tiles. Peel and stick tiles are generally stuck down in a similar way to double-sided sticky tape, but the adhesive used is stronger and stickier! When removing peel and stick tiles, always aim to get each tile up in one piece, two pieces at the most, otherwise you’ll end up spending hours chipping away at tiny fragments of tile. Adhesive remover (optional) this one from Amazon is highly rated.Pry bar – one with a wide blade, like this from Amazon.
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