How to Remove Black Mastic From a Wood Floor
Black mastic is an adhesive product applied to wood and concrete floors to install carpet, tile or linoleum. The product is difficult to remove by hand with a scraper or by sanding. The most effective method for removal is to apply a mastic remover designed to dissolve the glue. This material is available through a specialty supplier or home improvement store. The application and removal process will take a few hours. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Plastic and duct tape
- Kitty litter or sawdust
- Black mastic remover
- Applicator (mop or spray bottle)
- Bristle brush
- Floor scraper
Instructions
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1
Seal off any area you do not want to be affected by the mastic remover (like flooring, drains and carpet). Lay down an absorbent material like sawdust or kitty litter over this area, or cover it in plastic and tape down the plastic with duct tape.
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2
Apply mastic remover (like Peel Away's Black Mastic Remover) to a small section of the floor as a test. Either apply it with a mop or fill a spray bottle with the solution to spray on the floor.
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3
Scrape the floor using a floor scraper to remove the material. Inspect the wood floor for damage, bleaching or discoloration. If results are acceptable to you, continue to step 4. If not, use a lighter mastic remover like a citrus-based organic compound.
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4
Apply the mastic remover to the entire floor area as you did in step 2. Scrape the floor with a floor scraper until the black mastic is removed. Scrub the area with a stiff-bristle floor brush to remove remaining patches of mastic.
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5
Rinse the floor with water thoroughly. Use a mop to sop up the remaining material or squeegee the floor and direct the water toward a drain if one is available. Repeat this step as required.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit floor image by Einar Bog from Fotolia.com
