To all readers,

I am trying to remove two layers of carpet adhesive from my basement floor. I have rented a 17" floor buffer and I am using #12 grit disk to try and get rid of the glue. I have also used "Glue-Off", but in the inclosed space the fumes are overpowering, and I have a pregnant female in the home. I then tried "Odorless" mineral spirits, but not much luck with that. Do I need to have a completely exposed concrete in order to use one of the epoxy type floor coating I plan on putting down?

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Jack

......off using a stiff putty knife, JMO, Rod.

Mickey Thompson's 63 1/2 #997 S/S Hi-Rise 427 Lgt/Wgt Galaxie,
1957 C-600 Cab-over carhauler w/390-4V, 2-speed rear-end
FGCofA member #4908
MCGC member #75

"There will ALWAYS be an FE in my LiFE"

I used to be in the industry and you would be shocked at what was in the adhesives in the 50's 60's and early 70's. Using a blow dryer can lead to disasterous results if the product contains harmful materials and specifically asbestos. If it is a clear adhesive go for it but if it is black or a very solid dark absolutely test it before removal. If it does contain asbestos then seal it and install a new surface over it, removal is too expensive for large areas. Hawkrod

Hawkrod

39 Ford Deluxe Coupe
59 Tbird 430
60 Lincoln Premier
(2)62 Tbirds
(3)68 Cougar XR7-G's
69 Cougar 428CJ 4 speed
77 1/2 Ford F250 4X4 w/460 swap
86 SVO mustang
76 F250 Crew Cab
1969 Mach I
look at my cars past and present at superford!

Hawkrod,

The house was built in 1982. Capeting added later. The older layer of glue is brown and the top layer I added around 1999. The people I have talked about using the two part epoxy say that all the glue must be removed before apply the new product. Is this correct.

Thanks,

Jackal

all the old adhesive must be removed. If you want, do so 'Net searching on "epoxy floor prep" or "concrete floor prep" or variations. Virtually all epoxy paints require a smooth, clean, oil, grease and dust free surface to prevent peeling. Good advice on checking for asbestos too. The chains (Home Depot, Lowes, etc.) all have cheap testing kits. Although by date the adhesives should be asbestos free, it's the sanding and pregnancy that should raise alarm bells.

By 82 there were still some adhesives around but not many as they already had stopped manufacturing by law (but old products were still legal to use) but if the carpet went in later you are 99.98% clear as the older adhesives would have been used up by the type of small time installers that did a house. If it were a really big commercial job I would still check for asbestos as the big outfits stockpiled thousands of barrels when prices plummeted but those guys were doing 50 story buildings and such. For standard mastic (kind of a taupe brown) heat is the best remover but the fumes can be a concern in a closed space. I use a broad tip propane torch and a scraper to get 99% and then a floor buffer with solvent for the remainder. It will be ugly no matter how you look at it! Hawkrod

Hawkrod

39 Ford Deluxe Coupe
59 Tbird 430
60 Lincoln Premier
(2)62 Tbirds
(3)68 Cougar XR7-G's
69 Cougar 428CJ 4 speed
77 1/2 Ford F250 4X4 w/460 swap
86 SVO mustang
76 F250 Crew Cab
1969 Mach I
look at my cars past and present at superford!

.

Mickey Thompson's 63 1/2 #997 S/S Hi-Rise 427 Lgt/Wgt Galaxie,
1957 C-600 Cab-over carhauler w/390-4V, 2-speed rear-end
FGCofA member #4908
MCGC member #75

"There will ALWAYS be an FE in my LiFE"

The law only made it illegal to manufacture products containing asbestos but it was still legal to use any products already manufactured (like the R12 vs R134 debacle). Also, in border states where laborers come accross for work there were often asbestos issues long after the US quit worrying about it. I dealt with this in my job for several years and saw many early 80's homes and business' test positive for asbestos flooring and flooring products. Hawkrod

Hawkrod

39 Ford Deluxe Coupe
59 Tbird 430
60 Lincoln Premier
(2)62 Tbirds
(3)68 Cougar XR7-G's
69 Cougar 428CJ 4 speed
77 1/2 Ford F250 4X4 w/460 swap
86 SVO mustang
76 F250 Crew Cab
1969 Mach I
look at my cars past and present at superford!

"What Is Regulated Asbestos-Containing Material?
Regulated Asbestos-Containing Material (RACM) is any material that contains greater than 1% asbestos and is friable. Friable means it can be crumbled, pulverized, or reduced to powder by hand pressure when dry. Some common examples of RACM are spray acoustic ceilings, acoustic tiles, various plasters, duct wrap, paper backing of linoleum, non-bituminous roofing felt, wallboard, joint compound (joint "mud"), and thermal insulation on pipes and boilers. Use of asbestos in the manufacturing of these products was banned by 1978. However, some products remained on the shelf and were used in the construction of buildings and homes for several years thereafter, and some are still used today."

This is from one of the air quality regulation web pages. Hawkrod


Hawkrod

39 Ford Deluxe Coupe
59 Tbird 430
60 Lincoln Premier
(2)62 Tbirds
(3)68 Cougar XR7-G's
69 Cougar 428CJ 4 speed
77 1/2 Ford F250 4X4 w/460 swap
86 SVO mustang
76 F250 Crew Cab
1969 Mach I
look at my cars past and present at superford!

......n/m

Mickey Thompson's 63 1/2 #997 S/S Hi-Rise 427 Lgt/Wgt Galaxie,
1957 C-600 Cab-over carhauler w/390-4V, 2-speed rear-end
FGCofA member #4908
MCGC member #75

"There will ALWAYS be an FE in my LiFE"

........products using asbestos and PCBs were banned in 78. Products produced prior to 78 could still be used, My Apologies, Rod.

Mickey Thompson's 63 1/2 #997 S/S Hi-Rise 427 Lgt/Wgt Galaxie,
1957 C-600 Cab-over carhauler w/390-4V, 2-speed rear-end
FGCofA member #4908
MCGC member #75

"There will ALWAYS be an FE in my LiFE"

Go to Wal Mart and get a gallon of super clean. You will find it in automotive. Stuff takes just about anything loose. Pour some on the floor and spread it in a test area and let it set for about 30 minutes. I'll bet it loosens the glue.

Try a test with brake fluid. It melted the OEM tar-like undercoating on my 67 mustang.

The best way to prep the concrete would be to bead blast it. However it not only removes the adhesive residue but takes part of the top layer of the concrete with it. This is especially true with inexperienced operators. The floor would most likey need to be skim coated with a concrete patch such as Ardex feather edge and then apply your epoxy floor coating.
Another way is to rent a floor sander at Home Depot and use the head attachment called a scrap-away. This head has carbide cutting blades attached to it and it does what the name implies, it scrapes away the old adhesive. (You may need to add a little weight to the sander for best results. A clean up with some coarse sand paper and your good to go.
The concrete may show a little discoloration from the carpet adhesive but it should be fine.

Do not use brake fluid or liquid removal agents

30yrs in the commercial flooring business - Mike 7570



Mike G

I do interior demolition and construction. Go to a flooring distributor and ask for "safety solvent". We use it in occupied hospitals. It smells like citrus. Let it sit on the glue and then use a razor scraper to take it up. If it is a large area, you can rent a floor scraping machine.I have several if you are anywhere close to Baltimore.

just did our main family room in the basement (800 sq.ft ) using Foam Off floor adhesive remover purchased at Home Depot and 4 inch razor bladed scrapers from Home Depot also . labour intensive but did an excellent job and are now installing ceramic tile.

Pour 4" new concrete and add radiant floor tubing at the same time.
Ron.