removal of tar-like linoleum adhesive
GreggU
| Posted in Construction Techniques on
I recently pulled up two layers of vinyl and linoleum floor covering in my bath, expecting to restore the original 1×4 t&g fir flooring. It seems to be in good shape, but there is a heavy layer of some sort of asphalt adhesive all over the floor. I have tried liquid paint removers and solvents. All they do is soften the tar a little. I’m also afraid that with he solvents, I’ll dissolve it enough that it will soak into the wood more. Scraping does not work. I do not want to use caustic paint removers as that will stain the wood black.
Does anyone know how to remove this stuff cleanly other than using up $600 worth of sanding belts?
Edited 7/8/2008 2:09 am ET by GreggU
Replies
I'm almost certain someone will come along with the correct answer here because it is a 'common' problem.
Something in the far reaches of my brain is saying dry ice, maybe something with water...........
......sorry, best I can do.
There is one adhesive substance that comes up with hot water. Soak a towel in hot water, wring it out some so that it is not dripping, and lay the towel on the adhesive for a couple of minutes. See if it softens, and if it does, scrape it up with a wide pull scraper.If that doesn't work, try dry ice in a plastic bag. Set the bag on the adhesive for a minute or two, and then scrape with a wide pull scraper.Watch out for nails.
Alot of those old adhesives and tiles contained asbestos. Sanding may not be a good option.
"Scraping does not work"
actually I'm thinking that's your only option, but you need something more like a wide chisel or hand plane blade and push it, not a pull type scraper. You want to take just enough of the wood not to have to mess with the adhesive, can we say multimaster??
Depending on its type, warm water may help loosen the adhesive. I was able to remove the adhesive on one of my floors using warm water, Mean Green, a 3M scouring pad, and a lot of elbow grease.
Steve M.
Order a sample bottle of 'bean-e-do' from Franmar chemical and see if it works:
http://www.franmar.com/
We used the stuff on tile mastic in our basement and it worked wonderfully. It's soy based, so non-toxic.
just had to remove linoleum from a subfloor- never easy, a good sharp chisel- SHARP - will do the job, be patient there is no real easy way . In the bath this might take a couple of hours. Sorry but its called work, you cant look it off of there
I encountered the same problem in my renovation. What worked really well was a citrus based tar removal solvent. The brand escapes me but and internet search should turn up the product. It turned the adhesive into a gooey liquid which scaped up fairly easily. There was still a film on the wood which required a lot of sanding. I also had the tar adhesive tested for asbestos which came out negative. Good luck its worth it the floor look great.
How about a block of dry ice. Freeze a section then chisle it off. Will keep you cool during this hot weather.
Fein Multimaster with scraper?