Removing linoleum adhesive

[Interex]

Not quite a garage question but I'm currently redoing the floors in my kitchen and have run into an issue pulling up the old linoleum floor. The top layer came off and left the adhesive backing which is kicking my a$$. It's coming off with some work with my scrapper but I'm thinking that there has got to be an easier way. I went to Home Depot and found a few products but wasn't sure if any GJ members had some experience to lend. I ended up picking up some mineral spirits and a can of expensive adhesive remover.

Here is a picture of what I'm dealing with.

 

[MrMark]

It's a hard job. I've used the Jabsco and it is expensive, slow and makes a mess. There is also a razor type heavy duty scraper at home depot next to the thin set scrapers that is designed to shave off the mastic/residue. Change blades often. It will wear you out for sure.

 

[Kevin54]

Why not put an underlayment down over the top of everything. This is normally done if putting down new linoleum or new tile.

 

[Jeffksf]

What is the substrate that it was glued to? Looks like concrete in the pics. If thats the case maybe rent a floor polisher with a scotch brite pad?

 

[jhelrey]

Use a ice scraper or an oscillating tool with a scraper on it.

 

[MBfreak]

Hi.
When renovating our house 17 years ago I did most of the job myself. However, not all.I discusses our new floor coverings with a pro. He said to pull off the old linoleum and then remove any piece of glue sticking up more than 1 mm. This was easy and done with a razor type scraper. He then came in and applied a 2-3 mm thick cement mixture over the entire floor. He did a perfect job of this. After that i glued in the new "composite" plastic type carpets and it looks as good today as 17 years ago.
He explained that once you know how to put a thin cement plaster onto an old floor it is the way to do it. The bonus is that next time you want to renew your carpets you just pull the old one off , most of the cementstuff will come of and the rest is easily removed.
However, it takes a pro. He ladelled it on and spread it by hand with a 1 meter long leveller, and by giving it a fast forward turning flip when lifting it out of the cement , there was not even a trace of a bump whee he lifted off.

Money well spent, and not a single squaremm of splatter on the walls:

Ola

 

[Interex]

Yes it's concrete and I'll be putting down ceramic tile. I thought about just leaving it but wasn't sure if the thinset would bond to it well. Sounds like it may not be a problem after all.

 

[JimDon]

Is it a water based mastic? If it is, use a spray bottle of water, spray a square foot (approx) area and cover with plastic, plastic bag, or plastic wrap something on that order, to keep the surface area wet. Let it sit for 10 or 15 minutes, then scrape it. If it is water based, it will come up like a dream. You can then sponge the area down and remove any traces. When you get good at it, you can have two to three or four areas covered and soaking, and keep moving from one to the next, wetting another area in between, etc. etc. It'll all be gone before you know it. Hope it is water based for your sake.
Cheers,
Jim Don

 

[bchee]

http://www.harborfreight.com/6-piece-pneumatic-scraper-kit-95826.html

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R-100067461/h_d2/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&keyword=62909

 

[tncatadjuster]

I have had luck using a slow speed belt drive buffer, with carbide blades. This set up is made by

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000PDWFIC/?tag=atomicindus08-20

If you can rent something similar locally it will do wonders. There are many different versions of this type machine, any will do.

Here is a photo of one in action, it is good for removing anything from a smooth concrete surface, paint, resin, glue. If it starts to melt the glue, add a little oil dry or cat litter to the floor, to provide a media for the glue removal. It will then start to ball up into nice kitty clumps.

http://acepoxy.com/acepoxy.com/Medical_Manufacturing_Facility.html

if you rent one I will give phone support just PM me.

 

[cgallery]

I recently did my basement floor which was 12x12 vinyl tiles on concrete.

I tried everything to remove the adhesive. Every chemical product under the sun. They were clearly going to require substantial elbow grease in order to work, and then they'd leave stuff in pits and cracks behind.

Someone on another forum suggested a floor buffer with Scotch-Brite pad, and lots of water. But I tried Scotch-Brite pads by hand, with the chemicals and it took forever to cut through a 6" x 6" area. I couldn't imagine the floor buffer would help much.

BTW, it didn't matter how long I left the chemicals on the adhesive. I'd cover them with plastic, come back an hour later, and the adhesive was just laughing at me. I tried double applications. Still laughing.

I finally broke-down and used the Bosch 5" diamond wheel grinder to remove it. And let me tell ya, that adhesive gave the Bosch a run for the money. I had to go over the adhesive for 10 seconds before the diamond wheel even started cutting the adhesive. It took forever.

 

[Interex]

Thanks for all the input!

I've got a 5" floor grinder with some abrasive blades that might just do the trick if all else fails.

 

[tncatadjuster]

Keep us posed with photos, curious how it comes up.