I am remodelinng a bathroom and have removed 36 year old alsphalt tiles from a concrete floor. The adhesive I used then was a black petrolium base adhesive. I want to lay ceramic tile and now have this black still sticky mess on the floor. The tile stores recommend removal of the adhesive – but have no suggestions on how ( except one recommended gasoline ! ) Has anyone had this problem and solved it withou using a solvant and a lot of rags ? Is there something that will lift it off easily or is there a sealer that can be put over it that will bond to it and will bond to thinset for the tile ? Any help would be appreciated.
BillA58
Replies
I suggest renting a breaker/jack hammer with a bushing hammer (looks like a meat tenderizer hammer). This smashes the top 1/8 inch of the surface. The surface can then be scraped/swept, along with offending sticky stuff, and is ready for a scratch coat of thinset. I have just done this to my exterior steps that were painted with various coats. The new surface is now rough and ready for thinset.
Thinset down wonderboard and go over that..am I missing something here?
It's not who's right, it's who's left ~ http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
Hi andy:
Thanks for the question. I was worried that the thinset would not adhere to the adhesive and would not give a good bond to the wonderboard ( cement board) and floor. Also I am hoping not to add to much to the thickness of the floor as I don't want to reset the cabnet. I do have 1/4 " cement board if all else fails. Also I need to level the floor as there is quite a dip in it ( up to 1/2 " ) We ran out of cement when laying the floor in '65. Short cuts just come back to bite you eventually.
Thanks again, Bill