Self Adhesive tiles coming up - how to fix??

[cgmsys]

Hello

We have a breezeway with self adhesive 12 x 12 tiles. The tiles in one part are starting to come up a little. The floor was plywood. As far as I remember, the floor was sealed with shellac or something similar prior to putting the tiles down.

Questions

1. What is the best way to fix this?? I was thinking of

a - contact cement or something like that b. Trying an iron but I don't thing that would work.

I'd appreciate any ideas. I do have some replacement tiles that I could use if necessary. I'd prefer to try to get the tiles to stick without removing it. They are not cracked.

1. What could have caused this?? I did have a minor roof leak at that point. Also, we have one of those hoover floor cleaners that puts down water and vacuums it up. I'm not sure if my son got overly energetic with the water. It is an area with fairly decent traffic and the floor may have a little 'bounce' to it although I really don't notice any.

I'd greatly appreciate any advice...

thanks

chris

[Meat Plow]

You could try some Liquid Nails construction adhesive.

[Bob]

Self adheisve tiles are cheap and will eventually come up. Its probably nothing you did specifically.

I am not sure what to use but I can tell you NEVER use heat unless you know for sure it will work or you have the option to test first on a section that is hidden. Many services will melt and then you will need a full replacement. I learned this trying to use a hot glue gun on a piece of counter. (it was the only glue I had at the time.) It melted the entire peice so I had to replace it completely.

[Mac]

they're not cheap. It cost me twice as much to do my kitchen with them as opposed to linoleum.

[Robert Allison]

He means cheap as in garbage, not price. And I agree. I will not install self adhesive tiles due to the problems associated with them.

As to the OP, get some vinyl tile adhesive and stick it back down the way tiles are supposed to be done. This means lifting the tile, getting the adhesive under the tile, letting it tack up, then pressing down the tiles. You need a lot of heavy weights to hold them down after having them bent up for the adhesive insertion.

[georgets]

Self adhesive tiles are junk, or at least the adhesive is. Get some multi-purpose flooring adhesive and a knotched trowel that has the knotch sizes as listed on the can. Use the adhesive under the loose tiles. Be sure all the dirt is removed from both the floor and what is stuck to the tile adhesive. Use the new tiles if needed. Sitting them in warm sunlight helps them flex if they are warped. Step each tile down, and remove any oozing adhesive with a damp sponge before it drys.

Next time you do a tile job, dont buy the self adhesive type. You are only wasting your money and the hassle of removing all that paper.

I worked for a flooring company for over 20 years !

George

[cgmsys]

Thanks to everyone who replied.

This was one of those rush jobs where circumstances pushed us into doing something quickly with the room. I have learned my lesson with the self adhesive tiles though.

thanks

chris