11 Surprising Things You Can Fix in Your Home With a Heat Gun

If you’re a new homeowner, you might not even know what a heat gun is, let alone how valuable it is to have in your toolkit. A heat gun is what it sounds like—a tool that blasts heat. While it may look like an industrial hairdryer at first glance, a heat gun is far more powerful, more versatile, and potentially more dangerous if not used correctly.

"A heat gun is hands down one of the most underappreciated tools a household can own," says professional home remodeler and contractor Danny Niemela. "From repair work to finishing touches, a heat gun [is] one of those rare must-have tools that you did not know you needed until it saves the day."

To learn about the many miracles of a heat gun, we consulted home improvement experts for their tricks of the trade. Read on to learn all the things a heat gun can help you fix in your home and how to use it the right way. 

Remove Old Caulk Around Tubs and Sinks

Old caulk can get discolored and misshapen. And when it’s time to remove it, you will need the right tool. Enter the heat gun. "Run low heat along the caulk line, and it softens right up," advises home improvement expert Jackie Coffey. "Then you just pull it out clean without ripping the paint or tile around it." She adds that a utility knife is also a good tool for easily removing the newly softened caulk. 

Remove Stickers

You could spend an afternoon fruitlessly trying to peel off those pesky stickers that won’t budge from jars, picture frames, or thrift store finds. Or you could use a heat gun. Warm the sticker with a heat gun and then peel it from a corner, advises Robert Schwachenwald, owner of Bizzy Bee Plumbing Inc. "The heat will melt the glue just perfectly for easy removal," he says.

Remove Old Paint from Furniture

If you have an old piece of painted furniture that needs a refresh, consider using a heat gun to remove its paint. "Hold the heat gun a few inches above the furniture until the paint starts to bubble," instructs Schwachenwald. "Scrape the paint away with a tool to get a perfect finish."

Remove Stubborn Adhesives

During a remodel, you will undoubtedly encounter stubborn adhesive in hidden spots. "When mirrors come down, or old wall tiles need to be replaced, the adhesive can be brutal," notes Niemela. Luckily, a heat gun can remove it quickly.

"Direct heat at the adhesive for one to two minutes on a low setting," he advises. "This will soften the glue without damaging the surface you are working on. [Then] scrape with a putty knife, and you are done." Niemela notes that using a heat gun to remove the adhesive is much safer than using synthetic chemicals indoors and faster than sanding or chiseling. 

Not only that, but the temperature range of a heat gun lets you mend a problem without destroying the material, according to Niemela. "I can warm glues just enough to loosen them without scorching the surface below," he says. "The whole operation usually takes less than two minutes with a basic 1200-watt gun."

Fix Composite Deck Discoloration

John Salvatore Gelfusa, president and CEO at HomeWorks CGO, says a heat gun is his go-to tool for removing stains or discoloration from a composite deck. Start by wiping the area with a wet rag, then hold your heat gun about 8 to 12 inches above the discolored spot and move it in a slow back-and-forth motion. The original color will return right before your eyes.

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Heat-Shrink Tubing for Electrical Repairs

For those versed in the world of home electricity, a heat gun can be extremely advantageous. After you have made your electrical repair, you will need to shrink the tubing around the wires, and the heat gun is the perfect tool for that. “Slide the tubing over the connection, hit it with low heat, and watch it shrink perfectly around the wire," says Coffey. "It looks like a pro did it."

Smooth Warped or Dented Baseboard Corners

If your thermoplastic baseboards have been bumped or dented over the years, Niemela advises using your heat gun to fix them. "Nobody will ever know it was damaged," he says. Using your heat gun, heat the dent for about 15 seconds and use a metal edge to push the material back into place. Let the area cool, then touch it up with caulk or wood filler and add a fresh coat of paint.

Remove Epoxy or Resin

Your heat gun is a worthy adversary for removing unwanted epoxy or resin on household surfaces. On medium heat, hover the heat gun over the surface until it gets rubbery, and then gently scrape the epoxy off, advises Coffey. "This is perfect for garage floors, countertops, or that DIY project you immediately regretted," she says. 

Thaw Frozen Pipes

A heat gun can be used to thaw frozen pipes, so long as you do so safely. "Low heat only!" warns Coffey. "Warm the pipe slowly and keep the gun moving. Start near the faucet and work backward so the ice has somewhere to go." Schwachenwald emphasizes the importance of applying the heat slowly, taking care not to focus on the same section for too long.

Remove Window Film or Tint

Grab your heat gun to remove worn-out window film or tint. "If your window tint or interior film has bubbles or is peeling at the corners, simply heat that section for about 20 seconds and use a plastic scraper to gently lift," says Niemela. "Then slowly roll the tint off as you continue heating." It’s much faster than synthetic chemical removers or picking at it with your fingernails, he adds.

Repair Vinyl Flooring 

If your vinyl floors need repairing, try using your heat gun as a quick, affordable fix. According to Coffey, the heat gun is great for patch jobs without replacing your whole floor. She recommends warming the area until it softens, lifting or adjusting it, and laying it back down. 

Dented Tile

Tile can become dented from heavy furniture or appliances. Luckily, Niemela says a heat gun can restore it to its former glory. Heat the dent for about 45 seconds until it begins to relax, then place a flat weight (like a block of wood) on the dented area to clamp it down, and leave it overnight. Even if it is not restored to perfection, Niemela notes that you will have a highly improved tile without using potentially harmful chemicals.