Another kitchen question.
Hard wood (oak) floors that had the original (maybe) black and white tiles glued over it sometime in the fifties or sixties.
Have taken the floor back to the wood but obviously have some (all over the floor) old glue to take care of. Had a flooring guy tell me today that it would be cheaper to replace the floor than to refinish–floored me (good pun-huh!). He didn’t even want to quote me on the refinishing- said it would mess up his machines.
I’d like some opinions on this subject as I have no idea regarding the economics and any applicable laws of diminishing returns that would come into play when it come to refinishing vs. replacing.
thanks
cje
Replies
I would think that the machine would be OK. The problem is that the glue is going to gum the belts up. It's going to take alot of belts before you can actually start cutting wood. Perhaps you can rent a machine and get some used belts from a shop that does floor finishing. There are also belt cleaners that look like a giant eraser. I wouldn't try using one on a floor sander though. lol. A related issue that I hope you considered before removing the tiles was asbetos. Asbestos can in either the tile or the mastic. Obviously sanding asbestos bearing mastic wouldn't be a wise thing to do. Go have a sample tested. The last time I had it done, the cost was minimal.
If you can find some dry ice, the adhesive may pop right off really easy. another tack woould be to learn how to use a sharp scraper.
He might be right or he might just not want the pain in the butt. See if $$$$$$$$$ will change his mind. Bbut in my experience, when they had a hundred year old floor, it had been redone once ort twice and it is thinner - not much left to do again and then tiles came along, it was the in thing and not much wood left. "Let's just save the trouble and tile it over, Honey"
50/50 odds that it's not got much life left.
Excellence is its own reward!
I just went through this a few months ago. I had the adhesive tested for asbestos and it came back negative. After trying various strippers and thinners I lost half my brain cells!! I decided to call various floor refinishers for estimates. As they say, money talks, and bull#### walks. If you can afford to pay for many sanding belts, you'll have an awesome floor. The adhesive actually acted as a protective barrier to the wood. We now have a beautiful white oak kitchen floor.
Gary
Untill a pro comes a long that blows us away, Id like to take a stab at this.
I would try three things in this order before I payed other troops.
Laguer thinner , stripper , I finally broke down after a floor layer hid this method from me . He really did ! But I caught him using a razor scaper with a four foot handle on it . This sucker is about six inches across at the blade. We took up old tiles and glue with it , or he did until I caught him . So, I was a little upset he hid his theory and was charging me plenty. I called every one and they said "huh?" One day in Lowes , there it WAS! 35.00 dollars for a scraper ! I gulped and bought it . Didnt take long to get over it , because I take all of mine up now . Its a snap, plus it shaves the glue . But some kind of stripper or thinner may be needed.
Next ; The rental store has machines with rough pads that go around .
[Like really rough scotch brite pads ] Pads should clean under water , if not the carwash. But those things are awsome with a rough pad on . They will do it for sure .
Tim Mooney
I agree with both Tim and Piffin on the floors, I have seen people use stripper on the adhesive and it worked well. Make sure if you are in confined area and you use the stripper that you use all the precautions necessary.
Doug
Tim, those big scrapers are worth their weight in gold. Horrible nasty thing, but nothing else like it. First time I used one I figured the blade wouldn't last long as I was taking old mastic/glue off concrete. Thought that blade would be prone to chipping when it hit a nail or whatever. It survived the whole job, think I sharpened it once with a file.
One of those tools for the jobs you hate. Like my 3' pipe wrench, when I need it I'm in some kind of trouble. Joe H
. . . .tools for the jobs you hate . . . .
my post hole diggers ! ! !
Greg.
Greg, I broke down and bought a "good" set for about $50. Yellow glass handles, still a absolute ####. They don't work any better than the cheap made in wherever $11 pair I had 20 years ago.
I've got a whole collection of the best shovels I could find, hate ALL of them.
What's wrong with the world when there's no pleasure in buying tools? Joe H
Did I mention I hate shovels? They suck, and anything to do with them usually sucks too.