What is the best way to remove a tar-like adhesive from underneath old linoleum?

Question

I just bought a new house and I am in the process of tearing up the old linoleum from the floor. The linoleum is three layers deep! Anyhow, the linoleum is so old that I can easily just use my hands to rip it off the floor! There are hard wood floors under the linoleum; however, there is a thin layer of a tar-like substance between the linoleum and the hard wood floors . What is the best way to remove this strange adhesive? Thanks!

Answer 1

Use a heat gun and scrape up with a putty knife, peels off fast and easy.

Answer 2

Two products:

From a home center: Adhesive Remover from Saviogran. Phone [phone]

or from an automotive shop:

A product from Napier....I can't remember name...something like floring adhesive remover.....phone [phone]

Answer 3

There are adhesive removers made just for this, ask for it at Home Depot or wherever you shop. The container will tell you how much to use per square foot, but you will need to buy at least a gallon. Follow the directions.

Answer 4

Goof Off removes paint, glue, caulk, ink, etc... They sell it at Home Depot, etc... It will break that tar adhesive up enough to scrape it off with a putty knife or razor blade (try both).

Answer 5

Urggg that is truly horrid stuff too! I encountered it recently. Found the best way to shift it was with a paint scraper, but with care particularly as you have a wood floor under it (mine was concrete so didn't matter too much) A heat gun was useful too.

Answer 6

A heat gun and putty knife will work. If you want to use the wood floors check with a professional floor finisher on having him or her do the job for you. they will know how to do it properly.