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Re: Carpet Square Adhesive Removal Hints

From: mawesse6@comcast.net
Category: Flooring
Remote Name: 24.11.8.33
Date: 27 Nov 2005
Time: 12:40 PM

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Question: I am removing old carpet squares and found the black form backing is a mess separating from the carpet and sticking to the tiled floor below it. I can't remove the tile below without pulling up the wood. I need some clean up hints.

Builders Websource® Answer: Removing old carpet and adhesive is a messy job that requires patience and the right chemicals. If the substrate underneath is relatively impervious to moisture (such as tile or concrete), consider using a product such as ROBERTS 1920 LIFT OFF CARPET AND ADHESIVE REMOVER. Q.E.P Co, Inc. is the parent company (http://www.qep.com). Company literature states that this product is "a concentrate that when mixed with water enables rapid removal of floor covering and adhesives, whether latex or acrylic, permanent or pressure-sensitive. Simply apply to dried adhesive, let it soak, and scrape or wipe up." According to the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS), this product contains low-odor Monoethanolamine and Butyl Cellosolve, which are generally safe (with proper protective measures), and suited for both residential and commercial use.

These products often require long treatments and, as a result, they are not appropriate for removing adhesive from wood flooring, which could be damaged by extended contact with a liquid. Once the adhesive is soft, the carpet can be removed and the residue scraped up with a floor scraper.

For removal of latex-based adhesives over wood substrates, consider FAS-STRIP from PANDA PRODUCTS. The company states, "as with any liquid, FAS-STRIP could have a corrupting influence on wood, especially when contact is over a period of time. You should leave FAS-STRIP on wood, such as hardwood or plywood, only as long as it will take to soften the adhesive. Overnight applications such as with cementitious substrates should be avoided. FAS-STRIP should not be used over Oriented Strand Board (OSB) or particleboard substrates.

Keep in mind that adhesive removers will not work on carpeting with an impermeable vapor barrier (such as vinyl) or certain types of adhesives, such as epoxy and polyurethane. Since you have no way of knowing what kind of adhesive may have been used, you may need to try a few different products until you achieve the desired results. Always test a small area first to check the results before you cause inadvertent damage to the substrate.

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