How to Remove Mastic From Cement Under Vinyl Floor
Pull up the vinyl flooring in a room and, chances are, residue has got to go in order to put down fresh new flooring. Or perhaps you are going to stain the cement to create a fresh new look. Mastic is a tough adhesive. Both physical effort and a chemical solvent are necessary to remove it completely. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Long-handled scraper tool
- Broom
- Dustpan
- Protective goggles
- Face mask
- Citrus based stripper solution
- Steel-bristled brush
- Squeegee
- Bucket
- Chemical stripper neutralizer
- Power floor scrubber
Instructions
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1
Chip away mastic from the floor using a long-handled scraper tool. Sweep up the debris into a dustpan and dispose of the material in the trash.
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2
Put on goggles and a protective face mask. Pour undiluted citrus-based heavy-duty concrete stripper onto a two-square-foot section of the floor. Scrub the chemical into the floor with a wire-bristled brush.
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3
Leave the chemical sitting on the floor for 10 minutes to loosen the mastic adhesive bond. Rub the floor area again with the wire-bristled brush, pressing firmly.
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4
Scrape and lift the residue from the treated section of floor with a squeegee. Dispose of the residue in a bucket to discard later with hazardous waste. Continue treating the floor with the stripper, scrubbing and removing mastic, working in two-foot sections.
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5
Allow the floor to dry completely. Apply a second treatment of chemical stripper to areas where mastic may remain.
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6
Wash the floor with a neutralizer, if suggested by the chemical stripper manufacturer's label. Otherwise, wash the floor with a mild detergent solution run through a power floor scrubber.
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Tips & Warnings
Chemical strippers are flammable and may irritate the skin and eyes. Always provide good ventilation to the work area, with open windows and fans, to reduce fumes.
If chemicals splash on the skin, wash them away immediately under running water.
Rinse any chemicals that splash into the eye, repeatedly, and contact a doctor.
References
- Photo Credit gallon container image by Paul Moore from Fotolia.com
