How in the heck do we remove old adhesive? - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

Porta-Crane · 02-03-2009, 07:31 AM

Okay, we have a problem. We have removed some old 8x8 asphalt (?) tiles, and what was left appears to be a heavy tar-like glue. This is in a hardware store, in one of the main aisles, which we are able to block off, and direct customer traffic another way. We are open 7 days a week. We are planning to use a 2-part epoxy finish on it. We do not want to use chemical stripper on it, because of the fumes/mess. Scraping doesn't get it. We tried a coarse wire wheel on a grinder. No dice. Again, we have a problem. Any ideas from you pros, other than calling one of you pros?

tomstruble · 02-03-2009, 07:50 AM

try a heat gun

Cdat · 02-03-2009, 07:56 AM

I live near you, I'll do it...

As stated a heat gun should soften it up enough to chisel it off.

Mellison · 02-03-2009, 08:44 AM

Careful, Could contain asbestos.
When were the tiles installed?
After the tiles were removes was the tar shiny? If so you may be ok but should still take proper precautions.
I am not trying to scare you but considering that it is in a store you might want to think about removing it after store hours.
You never know when some customer will rock the boat.
Oh yea, Stop grinding NOW!!

Porta-Crane · 02-03-2009, 09:05 AM

Probably 20 years ago. The adhesive is still kind of shiny, and still somewhat tacky. We had hoped there might be a way to slurry/paint over it, something that would allow the epoxy to adhere to it. We also thought about dusting it with rockite, eliminating the tack, while provided a base for the paint to adhere. We stopped the wire brushing, and there never was any dust emitiing from the work we were doing.

jamestrd · 02-03-2009, 09:07 AM

your never going to get it off.

hire a pro concrete resurfacer

Russo'sFlooring · 02-03-2009, 03:23 PM

Had A SIMULAR PROB IN PAST. THERE IS A PRODUCT, TO REMOVE, EMULSION ADHESIVE, OR cUT BACK ADHESIVE. Sorry about the Caps, Woops..Anyway. Works great, need to locate a Flooring supplier/ Dist. and ask for it. For a quick cover, and works grerat, Pick up some ardex, floor Patch, mix to a creamy consistancy, and spread, put a Floor dryer, or Fan on and should cover, and be dry in aprox 1/2 hr, to 20 min. You can then instaill new Floor over Ardex, or smooth with a sanding screen, and Paint. Good luck

Quote:

Originally Posted by Porta-Crane

Okay, we have a problem. We have removed some old 8x8 asphalt (?) tiles, and what was left appears to be a heavy tar-like glue. This is in a hardware store, in one of the main aisles, which we are able to block off, and direct customer traffic another way. We are open 7 days a week. We are planning to use a 2-part epoxy finish on it. We do not want to use chemical stripper on it, because of the fumes/mess. Scraping doesn't get it. We tried a coarse wire wheel on a grinder. No dice. Again, we have a problem. Any ideas from you pros, other than calling one of you pros?

rusty baker · 02-03-2009, 03:45 PM

Not only is the adhesive probably full of asbestos, the tiles you took up probably were, too. Just be careful, the last person I knew that got caught got fined $10,000. Throwing them in the dumpster is illegal in most states, too.

the big 12 inch · 02-03-2009, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jamestrd

your never going to get it off.

hire a pro concrete resurfacer

What he said!!

D.C.P.B. · 02-14-2009, 06:50 PM

how thick is the tar? also how many s/f overall

rusty baker · 02-14-2009, 07:05 PM

It's not tar. It's called cutback. Don't scrape it. You will release asbestos in the air. That's a very big fine and dangerous to your lungs.

PrecisionFloors · 02-15-2009, 12:42 AM

Encapsulate.

Floordude · 02-15-2009, 11:10 AM

Ardex Feather finish!!!! Encapsulate it!

Rusty is right, your dealing with asbestos, both tile(VAT, the A stands for Asbestos) and black asbestos cutback adhesive. Pray no one has seen what your doing, and knows something and wants to make your life rough.