Replies

1. 
   Dunwright | Sep 13, 2005 08:24pm | #1

   I have not done it myself, but I have heard of others using dry ice and scrapers. Safety precautions include heavy work gloves.

   Arlington, Texas (The dash in Dallas-Fort Worth)
   Practice...'till you can do it right the first time.
2. 
   Danno | Sep 14, 2005 02:16pm | #2

   You might try doing a search of old discussions at Breaktime--I think some others have asked this question. There is a product called "Old Adhesive Remover" (or something like that) that is supposedly good. I've heard of using a cake pan with ice or dry ice to get the adhesive hard so it breaks off when you chip at it with a scraper.

1. 
   shake | Sep 15, 2005 11:16pm | #3

   Danno- thanks for the suggestion.  There were some ideas at Breaktime.  shake

2. 
   nordindevelopment | Sep 25, 2005 04:26am | #9

   I have used a product that is called 'de-solve it" for alot of different glues, and it works GREAT, - it is slow, spray it on and walk away. I have also used a floor adhesive remover from menards with good luck.  Desolve it is great for liquid nails and etc....

    

   Andrew

3. 
   Andy2 | Sep 17, 2005 06:19am | #4

   I asked a similar question last week. I went to HD and looked a product specifically meant to remove the tacky substance.  I will be using it in a day or two. If you can wait, I will let you know the results.

1. 
   shake | Sep 22, 2005 05:17pm | #5

   Andy I would like to know what happens.  I am procrastinating the floor as long as I can.  Thanks

1. 
   Andy2 | Sep 22, 2005 07:33pm | #6

   We waiting for the Hurricane Rita here in Houston. If the house doesn't blow away, we'll get to it next week and give you the results.

4. 
   neilpuck | Sep 22, 2005 07:34pm | #7

   What have you used as a scraping tool?  One of those big floor scrapers should give you happy good leverage, momentum form the action with your arms should go far in removing the adhesive. 

5. 
   tejonista | Sep 23, 2005 10:36am | #8

   shake - You mentioned that this is in your basement, so I'll assume that the old mastic is on concrete.

   Here's a power tool combination that I've used successfully to remove old, dried-up mastic from a concrete slab floor:

   Flexible chisel tool, Hilti TE-C-BSPM http://www.us.hilti.com/holus/modules/prcat/prca_navigation.jsp?OID=-12053

   Power rotary hammer/chisel motor, Hilti TE 6-C http://www.us.hilti.com/holus/modules/prcat/prca_navigation.jsp?OID=-15004  This would be used in the 'chiseling only' mode, of course.

   The flexible chisel tool can be used with several other Hilti chisel motors that use "TE-C" splined chisels; the TE 6-C happens to be the driver that I have used for this purpose. The tool blade has just enough "give" so that a reasonably skilled hand can scrape off the mastic without damaging the surface of the concrete. I believe that the flexible chisel could also be used with other motor brands such as Bosch, so long as they're set up to use "SDS+" splined tools.

   The tool rental counter at the Home Depot near my home carries Hilti equipment, although I haven't specifically inquired whether they rent the flexible chisel tool. You might also try this link to find a rental: http://www.us.hilti.com/holus/modules/editorial/edit_singlepage.jsp?edtid=-13148_000001

   tejonista, in Orange County, California

6. 
   Rocket | Oct 08, 2005 04:29am | #10

   Shake,

   Go to a local HD or rental shop and rent a flooring scraper.  I have used it on a wood flooring base and it worked marvelously.  I am going to remove the vinyl tile in my basement and will use this tool again.  Good luck.

1. 
   shake | Oct 13, 2005 12:27am | #12

   Thanks for the suggesstion.  I rented a concrete scraper and after 12 hours, it worked pretty well, however in some areas (approximately 300 sq ft ) it left the glue polished.  so now i dont know if this is good enough or not.  Any ideas?  the blades were fresh when i rented it.

1. 
   Rocket | Oct 13, 2005 01:50am | #13

   If you are going to lay flooring over the glue and the glue is smoooooth, just rough it up.  This should help with the adhersion of the new glue or adhesive.

7. 
   kesac | Oct 10, 2005 03:46am | #11

   I saw a machine at Home Depot today, that is expressly made for grinding old tile or carpet adhesive off of concrete.  I no absolutley nothing about it, except that I saw it.