Flooring Tile - Safe tile adhesive removal in basement
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bgdobson
08-03-08, 04:16 PM
We have removed old tiles from our basement floor and there is black adhesive under them. We are using very potent adhesive remover and it says on the can to use in a well-ventilated area and not to use in a basement! What other options do we have?
HotinOKC
08-03-08, 06:45 PM
How old was this existing tile? This cutback adhesive back in the day usually contained asbestos. If this house was wuilt say in the 80's or later, it's probably okay.
I would recommend getting a good floor scraper and a bunch of extra blades.
I would recommend getting a good floor scraper and a bunch of extra blades.
JazMan
08-03-08, 08:50 PM
It's not a good idea to use solvents inside, can be dangerous. Can you tell me how much ventilation equals "well-ventilated"?
On top of that, solvent will only drive more of the adhesive deeper in to the concrete making a good bond harder in some cases.
What are you doing with this floor?
Jaz
On top of that, solvent will only drive more of the adhesive deeper in to the concrete making a good bond harder in some cases.
What are you doing with this floor?
Jaz
bgdobson
08-03-08, 09:15 PM
The house was built in 1959, and I have no way of knowing how old the tile was but I'd bet it's older than the 80's. I don't know what cutback adhesive is, this adhesive looks a bit like tar.
Are you suggesting just scraping it off with no adhesive remover, because I don't think that would work. I have noticed people mentioning heat guns in other messages, would that work at all?
Are you suggesting just scraping it off with no adhesive remover, because I don't think that would work. I have noticed people mentioning heat guns in other messages, would that work at all?
bgdobson
08-03-08, 09:22 PM
The only ventilation we can provide is putting a box fan at the bottom of the stairs to blow air up the stairs and out the back door.
I had never heard of adhesive remover possibly driving more of the adhesive into the concrete. I think this might not happen because there is a layer of paint under the adhesive. We haven't decided what we are doing with the floor yet, one plan is to paint it with waterproofing paint and then use area rugs. Moisture is an issue. I pulled up the tiles after discovering that there was stagnant water trapped under the tiles in places. There are hairline cracks in the floor that seep moisture.
I had never heard of adhesive remover possibly driving more of the adhesive into the concrete. I think this might not happen because there is a layer of paint under the adhesive. We haven't decided what we are doing with the floor yet, one plan is to paint it with waterproofing paint and then use area rugs. Moisture is an issue. I pulled up the tiles after discovering that there was stagnant water trapped under the tiles in places. There are hairline cracks in the floor that seep moisture.