Latest Discussions : Flooring & Stairs

02:13AM | 03/13/03

Member Since: 03/12/03
2 lifetime posts

Removing carpet pad from concrete

I am in the process of replacing carpeting in my basement with ceramic tile. I've removed the carpet and there is a rubberish carpet pad that is glued to the concrete floor. It's glued throughout the whole floor and is really stuck on well. What is the easiest way to remove it? If I have to scrape it off it will take me forever. I'm in the Northeast and its been really cold so the concrete floor is cold. Would heating it up with a hairdryer or iron loosen it up enough so it would peel off? Do I need to treat the floor with anything before laying down the thinset? Thanks in advance.

Frank B

02:48AM | 03/13/03

Member Since: 03/09/03
32 lifetime posts

Call a local Carpet contractor. They will advise you in the best way. THey'll probablly suggest a solvent to soften the glue. and then suggest scraping the rest off...

carpetman

08:17AM | 03/13/03

Member Since: 01/26/03
542 lifetime posts

try this, buy a small hand scraper,with a 4" blade,and start scraping,it may come up easy,if so buy the big 8" "stand up" scraper.once you get the floor clean,and smooth,lay your tile.good luck p.s. a can of adhesive remover might be a good idea.

dtom4

02:30AM | 03/14/03

Member Since: 03/12/03
2 lifetime posts

Thanks for the advise. I tried scraping it up but it is really stuck on the concrete. I think I will need to use heat or solvent to soften the glues grip. Right now the pad is just tearing up which is causing more work. The carpet guy at Home Depot says I can't use solvent because it will get in the concrete pores and cause problems with adhesion when I put down the tile. Not sure if that is true but simply trying to remove it without treating it somehow seems almost impossible.

carpetman

08:29PM | 03/14/03

Member Since: 01/26/03
542 lifetime posts

i'm not sure thats true,but you cant install over the rubber,so you may have to try that.try some boiling water over a small area that may break it loose,one other thing,i,m not being a smarta** but the blade in the scaper is in backwards,did you turn it to the sharp side, good luck

willies all thumbs

07:37AM | 03/15/03

Member Since: 10/03/02
55 lifetime posts

If its solid glued it was probially foam backed carpet. a commercial buffer with a sanding disc gets it done,only minor scraping at the walls.