Dealing with old carpet glue on concrete prior to laying tile
#1
06-02-16, 03:35 PM
Dealing with old carpet glue on concrete prior to laying tile
Hi, I'm trying to put ceramic tile over a concrete basement floor. I've ripped up the old carpet revealing the old carpet glue. My plan is to go over it with a floor scrapper of some sort.
QEP 8 in. Wide Adjustable Razor Floor Scraper and Stripper-62909Q - The Home Depot
But even after that I expect I'll have some residue. Does that need to come off? My first thought is to use some kind of paint stripper type chemical, but I'm not sure what to use and concerned it might effect the adherence of the the thinset.
Here's a picture. The whitish area is probably the best I can hope for just using a scrapper.
http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/a...x/carpglue.jpg
Suggestions on how to best proceed?
Thanks
QEP 8 in. Wide Adjustable Razor Floor Scraper and Stripper-62909Q - The Home Depot
But even after that I expect I'll have some residue. Does that need to come off? My first thought is to use some kind of paint stripper type chemical, but I'm not sure what to use and concerned it might effect the adherence of the the thinset.
Here's a picture. The whitish area is probably the best I can hope for just using a scrapper.
http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/a...x/carpglue.jpg
Suggestions on how to best proceed?
Thanks
#2
06-02-16, 05:35 PM
Group Moderator
No chemicals or solvents since you intend to tile. Hot water, a scraper and a whole lot of elbow grease.
#3
06-02-16, 06:19 PM
Member
You may want to rent a motorized floor stripper.
PRO Floor Stripper Rental - The Home Depot
It's essentially a motorized floor scraper. You can get different width blades; the narrow blade (maybe 6 inches wide) usually works best on concrete. Faster than the pole scrapers and a whole lot easier on the arms and back.
PRO Floor Stripper Rental - The Home Depot
It's essentially a motorized floor scraper. You can get different width blades; the narrow blade (maybe 6 inches wide) usually works best on concrete. Faster than the pole scrapers and a whole lot easier on the arms and back.
#4
06-02-16, 06:30 PM
Stickshift,
Okay, hot water sounds like it's worth a try. Did you see my photo? See where it's white underneath the ink pen? Do I need to get that off? Does it really need to be bare concrete?
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Carbide Tide,
Good tip. I check out the local rental place. It might be worth it for the size of the room. 16x25. There seem to be a few different types of manual scrappers. Any advice on what to get or are they all about the same? Likewise, for a room that size should I pick up a replacement blade to go with it?
Okay, hot water sounds like it's worth a try. Did you see my photo? See where it's white underneath the ink pen? Do I need to get that off? Does it really need to be bare concrete?
---
Carbide Tide,
Good tip. I check out the local rental place. It might be worth it for the size of the room. 16x25. There seem to be a few different types of manual scrappers. Any advice on what to get or are they all about the same? Likewise, for a room that size should I pick up a replacement blade to go with it?
#5
06-03-16, 06:11 AM
Member
For pole scrapers, the main differences tend to be blade width and stiffness. Wide blades are ok for just popping vinyl tile off or the like, but for adhesive residue you probably want a narrower blade so you can get good pressure on the blade. Less stiff blades are good for use on a wood subfloor, but for concrete you want a fairly stiff blade.
Steel blade scrapers can be sharpened if they get dull, although there is a bit of self sharpening that happens when used on concrete.
For smaller hand scrapers, it's hard to beat a carbide hook scraper. You can use a second hand over the head to really apply good pressure and the carbide blade stays sharp a lot longer.
Steel blade scrapers can be sharpened if they get dull, although there is a bit of self sharpening that happens when used on concrete.
For smaller hand scrapers, it's hard to beat a carbide hook scraper. You can use a second hand over the head to really apply good pressure and the carbide blade stays sharp a lot longer.
#6
06-04-16, 08:05 AM
Carbide,
Thanks for the follow up info on the blades. I haven't had a chance to head to the hardware store yet, but I will soon.
I have spent some time with a hand scrapper (razor blade). I'm still not sure if I got enough of it off. The concrete looks bare, but there are tiny pores that still hold the glue.
I think I'll work on it for a while, then post a picture in a few days and try to get some feedback. Thanks for your advice and tips.
Oh, I read somewhere that some people have used DRY ICE on the glue before scrapping it off. Has anyone here tried that?
Thanks for the follow up info on the blades. I haven't had a chance to head to the hardware store yet, but I will soon.
I have spent some time with a hand scrapper (razor blade). I'm still not sure if I got enough of it off. The concrete looks bare, but there are tiny pores that still hold the glue.
I think I'll work on it for a while, then post a picture in a few days and try to get some feedback. Thanks for your advice and tips.
Oh, I read somewhere that some people have used DRY ICE on the glue before scrapping it off. Has anyone here tried that?
