Tar Removal From Concrete

[Worker in Progress]

Hello Friends,

I am a homeowner who is still learning how to be handy and how to do my own upkeep and home maintenance. I am new to the Forum, but I can tell you are all a wealth of information, and I look forward to hearing more from all of you.

My current issue: the City was right in front of my house doing some major street repairs and apparently one of their drivers used my driveway to backup and turn around, leaking a "V" shape of tar on my (recently replaced!) driveway. Obviously I am displeased, but there has to be a way to get this off, right? Photo attached. Tar trail is about 1/8"-3/16" thick at its thickest. Concrete is slightly textured.

I have a power washer, but not a heated one, and it seems expensive to rent for such a small area. I have read up on some corrosive/acid options, and I am open to that, but I would ask your advice on proper technique because they seem dangerous if done wrong.

Thank you in advance!

 

[DTE]

I would try freezing it with some ice and popping it off, solvents or heat and you will have a mess

 

[BillK]

I would call the city and tell them to take care of it. It is probably on their right of way anyway.

 

[Worker in Progress]

Bill, I definitely thought about it, but my concern was they might "take care of it" in a way that was just as sloppy as how it got there, or worse.

 

[Worker in Progress]

DTE, I could try this on the thicker parts, but there are definitely some parts that are too thin to "pop" off; more like a layer of paint. There are thicker parts too, though, so I'm convinced it is not just oil or paint. Thank you for your feedback!

 

[BillK]

Bill, I definitely thought about it, but my concern was they might "take care of it" in a way that was just as sloppy as how it got there, or worse.

You are probably right Anything petroleum related should take it off. I would scrape as much as possible with a putty knife and then pour some turpentine or cheap paint thinner on it and hit it with a stiff brush. A few times of that and rinsed off with soap and water will probably get rid of most of it. The rest will disappear in no time out in the weather.

 

[930dreamer]

Diesel cuts through tar/ asphalt. Paving machines have an on board spraying wand .

 

[mark#3]

I'd try using gasoline to remove it.

 

[Worker in Progress]

Thank you all! I will give something petroleum-based a try. I appreciate your input.

 

[SGKent]

I'd hit it with some freeze spray, put dry ice on it, or liquid N to cool it and chip as much up as possible first. Use the edge of a chisel or thick bladed knife to get under the edge. don't over freeze the concrete so you don't spall it.