Glue-down Carpet Removal

 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
Old 09-21-2009, 10:01 PM   #1
Pro
 
Meetre's Avatar
 
Trade: Carpentry
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Boise, ID
Posts: 646

Glue-down Carpet Removal


I am currently finishing up a contract to remodel an office space. The owner came to me today and asked about removing the glue-down carpet from the showroom area to prep the concrete for acid staining. I am leery of this (I know that the glue HAS to come off, concrete may have residue from carpet cleaning that will effect the final look of the floor, etc.) but would like the extra work. If it was you, what would your approach be to make sure the glue is gone and concrete is CLEAN? I am planning on a floor scraper, have thought of using muriatic acid to clean it after scraping. Any other ideas?

Meetre is offline  
Warning: The topics covered on this site include activities in which there exists the potential for serious injury or death. ContractorTalk.com DOES NOT guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any information contained on this site. Always use proper safety precaution and reference reliable outside sources before attempting any construction or remodeling task!

Old 09-21-2009, 10:25 PM   #2
Pro
 
SC sawdaddy's Avatar
 
Trade: General Contractor
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: South Carolina
Posts: 1,387

Re: Glue-down Carpet Removal


Plenty of ventilation if using acid. A couple of squirrel cage blowers should help. Along with a straight hoe and a bucket of elbow grease.
__________________
Democracy is two wolves and a lamb deciding what's for dinner.

Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote.
SC sawdaddy is offline  
Old 09-22-2009, 07:50 AM   #3
Carpenter
 
RizzoMaryland's Avatar
 
Trade: General Contractor
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Maryland
Posts: 514

Re: Glue-down Carpet Removal


Time and materials my friend, time and materials.
__________________
"An idea is salvation by imagination"
Frank LLoyd Wright
RizzoMaryland is offline  
Old 09-22-2009, 09:43 AM   #4
Registered User
 
KlintP's Avatar
 
Trade: Contractor / Remodeler
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 4

Re: Glue-down Carpet Removal


Quote:
Originally Posted by Meetre View Post
I am currently finishing up a contract to remodel an office space. The owner came to me today and asked about removing the glue-down carpet from the showroom area to prep the concrete for acid staining. I am leery of this (I know that the glue HAS to come off, concrete may have residue from carpet cleaning that will effect the final look of the floor, etc.) but would like the extra work. If it was you, what would your approach be to make sure the glue is gone and concrete is CLEAN? I am planning on a floor scraper, have thought of using muriatic acid to clean it after scraping. Any other ideas?
I would get a concrete staining guy in there to bid the job for you. Dont try and wing it, the floor may need to be grinded down to get it absolutly clean. Sometimes its not stainable and you might want to tell him to use VCT instead.
KlintP is offline  
Old 09-22-2009, 10:04 AM   #5
Pro
 
Red Adobe's Avatar
 
Trade: Siding, Metal Roofs, and Beer Drinking PRO
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Eastern NM / West Tx
Posts: 215

Re: Glue-down Carpet Removal


Beings its comercial you can bet they used real glue.........youl have to grind the concrete even if it looks like you got all the glue off the solvents from the glue will show trowel marks when stained.......been there done that, and grinding sucks Ive done that too

Talk em into an epoxy coating if you want to save some frustartion........not the cheap garage fllor diy crap but a real system
Red Adobe is offline  
Old 09-22-2009, 12:29 PM   #6
Nunya
 
tsb's Avatar
 
Trade: Concrete Prep
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Central TX
Posts: 31

Re: Glue-down Carpet Removal


Don't use muriatic acid if you plan on acid staining. muriatic acid will deplete the lime in the concrete and affect how the acid stain reacts with the concrete. If it's an acrylic "stain" this may be ok. I'd check with the manufacturer.

You can use strippers to get up the glue (although I never have luck with 'em), but keep in mind the residue left from the strippers can be just as tough to remove as the glue.

I got the impression from your post that you're just prepping for the acid stain and not staining it yourself. I would get with the company doing the staining and find out what they will require for adequate prep. I looked at a job a couple of months ago where the gc ground the concrete for a stain guy but he left such horrible swirl marks that the job turned out horrible. No sense in spending all this time and money trying to preserve the original slab if an overlay is the only option for a decent stain job.
tsb is offline  
The Following User Says Thank You to tsb For This Useful Post:
Meetre (09-22-2009)
Old 09-22-2009, 03:22 PM   #7
Pro
 
Meetre's Avatar
 
Trade: Carpentry
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Boise, ID
Posts: 646

Re: Glue-down Carpet Removal


We would only be doing the prep work on this, it's a customer who is comfortable working with us, and we with him. Otherwise I would most likely refer him to someone else. I have told him about the pita it will be, he has it in his head to go with the stained concrete. Far be it from me to tell him how to spend his money.

I've been doing a bit of research and found this, http://www.ecosafetyproducts.com/Soy...ste-4011-5.htm Looks like it may be the ticket. The guys that would do the staining and I have both told him that we may have to grind the floor, as the adhesive may not come off completely with out it.

Not too sure about the epoxy finish, do you know of any websites with pictures, so I can show the differences and what the final product will look like?

Thanks for the input guys.
Meetre is offline  
Old 09-23-2009, 12:32 PM   #8
Nunya
 
tsb's Avatar
 
Trade: Concrete Prep
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Central TX
Posts: 31

Re: Glue-down Carpet Removal


Some people have told me they've had success with franmar's soygel. That product looks similar. If it doesn't come up easy with just the stripper, you can cover the area with 6 mil plastic to prevent the stripper from evaporating then scrape in a couple hours and it should come up easier.

Also, be careful because that stuff is extremely slippery.

Again, all stripper residue has to be removed. It'll act as a bond breaker and could cause your sealer to fail.

Good luck and I'd try a sample area first to see how the stain will react if possible before tackling the entire area.
tsb is offline  
Old 09-24-2009, 07:22 PM   #9
Pro
 
Meetre's Avatar
 
Trade: Carpentry
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Boise, ID
Posts: 646

Re: Glue-down Carpet Removal


Decided that he didn't want the price to get it stained, going with carpet again. Thanks again for the input.
Meetre is offline  
Old 10-03-2009, 11:20 AM   #10
Member
 
user50444's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 39

Re: Glue-down Carpet Removal


To add to Tsb's post.... I've used franmars soy stripper once. For the most part did nothing but turned the adhesive to a hard gel. I'm not sure what form of adhesive I put it on but didnt do much for me that one time. So it might be have success just depending on the toughness of adhesive. We ended up wet grinding it off. I have used some eco's sealers but not there soy stripper.

For future reference.
user50444 is offline  


Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Carpet Laying Tips Bozzy Flooring 15 07-10-2009 02:57 PM
Help glue removal isaac Finish Carpentry 2 12-12-2008 12:49 AM
Vct and glue down carpet $$$$?? help shaane Flooring 3 10-26-2008 10:19 PM
going rate for tile and carpet removal oldglorydev Flooring 18 09-21-2008 02:26 PM
Glue down carpet removal dayspring Flooring 29 11-15-2006 05:59 PM

Join Now... It's Fast and FREE!

Privacy Badge
I am a professional contractor
I am a DIY Homeowner
ContractorTalk.com is for
PROFESSIONAL CONTRACTORS ONLY!

At ContractorTalk.com we cater exlusivly to professional contractors who make their living as a contractor. Knowing that many homeowners and DIYers are looking for a community to call home, we've created www.DIYChatroom.com DIY Chatroom is full of helpful advices and perfect for DIY homeowners.

Redirecing in 10 seconds
No Thanks
terms of service

Already Have an Account?