Removing glue from concrete

[keithh2oskier]

Yesterday we finally ripped up the green astroturf from the entry way to our house.

What is the best way to remove the glue/adhesive? Is it best to use a grinder? If i can use my 4" angle grinder what type of sanding disc should i use. Overall its probably at most 6 square feet. I purchased some epoxy remover from home depot but my wife really doesnt want me to use it because of environmental concerns...

BTW I took my powerwasher to it yesterday on max and it didnt do anything...

Thanks.

 

[where2]

Around me, the local tool rental place has a grinder/polisher that looks like a floor buffing machine. I used it to re-grind my terrazzo floor after I peeled a thousand Armstrong self-stick tiles off the floor and had cleaned the sticky residue with mineral spirits. In your case, the glue is hardened carpet adhesive, so you just need to grind to smooth concrete again. Technically, you could get the same result with a belt sander, but the diamond hone looks and works so much better... The first few weekends I was working on my floor, I was using the standard floor machine with sand paper. Diamond hone worked much better. I'm sure it's what they use to polish the floors in Lowes before they seal them.

For 6 square feet, grab some 36 grit and your belt sander. Wear a dust mask and use a vacuum.

 

[oilslick]

Just helped a buddy tonite, he had what looked like a floor buffer with a plate that had 6 carbide inserts, it worked awesome, think he borrowed it from the school.

 

[Lightfoot]

I used a 4 inch grinder with a large wire cup brush. The adhesive on mine was probably 20 years old and was pretty crumbly on top. After grinding nearly all of it off, i took acetone (with rubber gloves) and worked it in with a round abrasive pad to get the residue off. It took a while, but when i was done the concrete looked like new. I stained a pattern it in and you could never tell the astroturf was there. Mine was about 5 feet by 15 feet. It was my front porch.

6 square feet shouldn't take long at all...... Good luck!

 

[56rpm]

They have lowered the voc's on about everything to such low levels, it should not be a concern. Since the wife doesn't want it done the easiest way, maybe she ought to give the grinder a try.

 

[rumppe]

I have removed 1700 sq ft of carpet, need to remove the adhesive from the cement. This carpet was laid only 5 years ago. Can any of you tell me what the best and most efficient way to remove it is?

 

[JasonW]

For larger areas I have hired a bead blaster to remove old carpet glue. For smaller areas, MEK solvent and a putty knife. MEK is no longer available here in my area but has been replaced by MEK Substitute at my local Home Depot. It is supposedly safer. I didn't expect it to work but it does. Not as fast, but it does. My mom used it to remove a small parquet floor in my brother's entry.

 

[JasonW]

I have removed 1700 sq ft of carpet, need to remove the adhesive from the cement. This carpet was laid only 5 years ago. Can any of you tell me what the best and most efficient way to remove it is?

Here in California, five year old carpet glue would likely be water based. Bead Blasting would be an option either way but you might also be able to wet it (perhaps under some damp painter's canvas or other fabric) then scrape it up with a large floor scraper. If you do, make sure to wear an old pair of shoes.

I am assuming that the glue is all over concrete. Over wood is a different animal.