How to clean tiles from tile adhesive

After carrying out facing work on laying tiles on the surface, inevitably there remains an excess of glue, which must be removed. It is categorically impossible to leave work in an unfinished state, since the adhesive base spoils the aesthetic appearance and distorts the surface characteristics. Depending on the degree and type of pollution, the problem can be dealt with using special or folk remedies. We highlight important aspects and give practical advice.

Types of adhesive base

Tiles are laid using mixtures of various types and structures. A similar feature is determined by the speed of adhesion of the adhesive to the surface, the service life and ease of use. It follows that the technology for cleaning tiles varies greatly depending on the basis on which it is attached. Consider the types of glue and their features.

1. Cement base. It is a plastic mass, which is widely used for laying tiles. Due to the thick consistency, the composition provides maximum tile adhesion to the surface. The hardness and quality of the cement base directly depends on the incoming additives interfered with during the preparation process.
2. Epoxy base. This type of glue contains resinous compounds, due to which the mass slowly hardens. For this reason, epoxy is rarely used, in addition, it is difficult to remove from the surface of the tile. Usually, special compounds are used to clean the tiles, which are sold in any hardware store.
3. Polymer base. Like cement glue, polymer mixtures are quite widely used in the process of facing. They are a gel-like or paste-like mass that quickly sets and hardens. Acrylic is added to the product composition, as a result of which the composition for removal is selected individually (for cleaning tiles from acrylic (polymer) glue).
4. Homemade base. In order to save on laying tiles, many prefer to prepare self-mixing - a home-made solution. As a rule, it consists of cement mixed with sand in certain proportions. If a large amount of sand is added to the composition, the mixture becomes brittle, as a result of which the laying quality suffers. The composition is cleaned off quite easily, for you it will be an indisputable advantage.

Important!
If an adhesive base is used for laying the tile, which dries quickly, it must be removed immediately. Otherwise, after 2-3 hours, the composition will cling to the front surface, and it will be practically impossible to scrape it off.

Effective ways to clean tiles from glue

To remove the adhesive from the tile, it is necessary to approach the process taking into account the type of solution used. Consider effective methods.

Liquid (fresh) glue
In the process of lining the surface, you must be extremely careful, but it is not always possible to keep the tile in its original form. Remains of glue appear through the seams, the base often falls on the already laid parts. In such situations, you must immediately remove the tile adhesive, without waiting for the moment when it hardens.

1. After laying each tile (pcs.), Take a spatula with a rubber tip and go around the perimeter of the fragment. Remove any glue from the seams if the base has come to the surface.
2. After the protruding solution is removed, wash the spatula in warm water, then remove smudges and drops on the surface of the tile.
3. Moisten a clean cloth in warm water, rinse each part of the tile from which the glue was removed.Take a dry rag, wipe the tile dry, excluding the appearance of stains (water + glue base), evaluate the result.

In most cases, inexperienced handlers ignore such manipulations, which subsequently makes the housewives clutch their heads. It is much easier to prevent a problem than to fix it later.

Cured adhesive
As mentioned earlier, fresh glue is not always removed from the surface. The solution hardens, which greatly complicates the task. Start the procedure as soon as possible to increase the chances of a favorable outcome.

It will not be possible to remove the frozen base with ordinary water and a rag. Prepare highly abrasive materials, sponge and water in advance. Start hard cleaning by following the step-by-step instructions below.

1. First of all, it is necessary to soften the glue spots with water, so that later it is easier to scrape them off. You can also use an industrial solvent or acrylic / polymer compound if the adhesive does not react to water.
2. After impregnating the base with liquid or a special solution, proceed to mechanical cleaning. Take a hard sponge, construction grater, sandpaper of medium abrasiveness, pedicure pumice, rub the surface. If the glue is frozen in small drops, scrape it off with a glass nail file.
3. After the upper layers of glue have been successfully removed, soften the base again in a convenient way (water, solvent, etc.). Repeat the previous procedures, scraping the glue mechanically. Proceed step by step: softened, scraped, softened again. Try not to damage the front of the tile.
4. After removing the main part, change the tools to be more gentle. Take a melamine sponge, an old toothbrush, a hard rag, or microfiber cloth. Apply a gel remover or regular solvent to the surface of the tile, walk along the surface, finally removing the excess.

Important!
Do not try to scrape off glue with a knife, blade or other sharp tools. You run the risk of damaging the tiles, spalling one or more pieces.

Cleaning tiles with special tools

It is important to understand that tile adhesive is not always obtained by the methods described above. For such purposes, you can purchase special tools that greatly facilitate the task. Thanks to the active substances included in the product, the adhesive spots are corroded.

1. Choose a glue remover based on the solution used (cement, epoxy, polymer, etc.).
2. Purchased products can dissolve the adhesive completely or soften it partially. In the second case, cleaning is performed by the above-described mechanical method.
3. When choosing a composition, pay attention to the structure of the tile, not every tile transfers the effects of hard drugs.
4. Before using special products, protect the airways, skin of the hands and eyes. Do not breathe vapors.
5. If the adhesive base is removed from the surface of the tile after grouting, do not allow the composition to enter the crevices. Otherwise, the grout may change color or dissolve.
6. Before you pay money for a particular drug, carefully read the label on the back of the bottle. Make sure that the composition and purpose are appropriate for the task.

Cleaning tiles in folk ways

You can remove the cement, home-made or polymer base with folk remedies if the composition is partially frozen. Let's consider effective recipes in order.

1. Lemon acid. Dilute 55 g. acid in 1 liter boiling water, mix until the crystals dissolve, cool to a warm state. Moisten a cotton rag in the solution, walk along the surface of the tile, wipe it dry.
2. Baking soda. Prepare porridge: dilute soda with cool water so that a pasty mass is obtained.Scoop the composition onto a sponge, process the hardened areas of glue. Wipe the tile with a damp cloth, dry.
3. Chlorine Purchase Belizna or another similar product from the hardware store. Put on gloves, dilute 1 cap in 2 liters. mix water. Wet a hard rag, wipe off the dried adhesive base.
4. Vinegar. Protect your skin, moisten a sponge in table vinegar with a concentration of 9%. Rub the glue residue well, scraping it off mechanically. If necessary, carry out the procedure several times.

To clean the tile from traces of glue, you can use special tools or home formulations. If the solution cannot be removed, soften it and remove it mechanically (sandpaper, pumice, scraper, etc.). If possible, prevent such effects by cleaning the protruding adhesive immediately after laying the tiles.

Video: how to clean tiles from glue and grout