Removing throw rug backing from flooring

I'm not usually at a loss when remedying a problem. I came across this last night at my sisters condo. She has vinyl plank flooring. Don't know the brand name. Looks like the snap together type.

She had a rubber backed welcome mat that became bonded to the vinyl flooring.
Most of the rubber backing has turned into a hard substance that cannot easily be scraped off the flooring. I'm guessing some kind of chemical reaction. She tried soaking with GooGone and didn't even touch it.

I'm going to have to go back with the usual arsenal of xxx products.

Any one come across this before ?

 

Haven't come across that exact thing but acetone will likely work best to dissolve the rubber, (or whatever it's become) and hopefully won't harm the vinyl. Although the rubber may have already done the damage if it's bonded itself to the vinyl. I'd probably use a combination of plastic pot scrubbers and plastic scraper widgets to help abrade it off.

 

Thanks.... I was definitely going to bring some plastic scrapers along.

 

Scrape off the backing as best you can.
Then try getting the residue off with olive oil.

Also before acetone I would try isopropyl alcohol and mineral spirits.

 

I'd use acetone as a last result. Liquid soap [as a lubricant] and a plastic putty knife should get the majority.

 

She left GooGone on it for an hour and it only slightly dissolved it.
It's amazing.... it's like black cement.
I didn't have much with me but I used a blunt butter knife and it wasn't easy to scrape.

I'll be back up next week with all the recommended items plus more and see what happens.

 

The rubber and the stuff that glues the rubber together has morphed into something else entirely. I've seen it with some of those rubbery pads that keep rugs from sliding. But they aren't black rubber like the backing on a mat... more tan colored, kind of like that grippy cabinet lining. But a sticky situation nonetheless!