old flooring - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

kathyh · 03-12-2005, 05:31 PM

I have really old vinyl tile on terrazzo. I have tried to scrape, use a blow torch. Nothing is removing this very well. Is there a safe chemical to use or is my only option to put ceramic tile over it?

**Floorwizard** · 03-12-2005, 08:28 PM

if you are going ceramic tile, then it may be best to remove everything, then install new concrete board.
chip out the terazzo would be my guess, and take the vinyl with it.

**Teetorbilt** · 03-12-2005, 08:55 PM

Flor, have you ever dealt with terazzo? That stuff is harder than a whore's heart. It's also making a comeback now and is really expensive to install. If it were me, I'd clean up the terazzo and keep it, better than tile anyday.

**Floorwizard** · 03-13-2005, 12:04 AM

AH...I see.

I guess Terazzo it is.

Or a floating floor over it.

**Teetorbilt** · 03-13-2005, 02:22 AM

Floating floor would cover the whole mess. I grew up with terazzo floors and they are now back in vogue, why not attempt to restore the old floor?
Be carefull though, you are dealing with marble and you don't know how well it was sealed prior to the vinyl. Solvents may cause the adhesive to migrate.

kathyh · 03-14-2005, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Teetorbilt

Floating floor would cover the whole mess. I grew up with terazzo floors and they are now back in vogue, why not attempt to restore the old floor?
Be carefull though, you are dealing with marble and you don't know how well it was sealed prior to the vinyl. Solvents may cause the adhesive to migrate.

I was thinking of staying with the terazzo, but how do I get rid the old vinyl?
It has to be there for at least the last 35 years.

**Teetorbilt** · 03-14-2005, 08:39 AM

Did you use a floor scraper?

kathyh · 03-14-2005, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Teetorbilt

Did you use a floor scraper?

Only a maunual scraper. Will a construction grade harm the terrazzo?