Perhaps the most challenging part about replacing old carpet flooring is getting rid of all the glue that it leaves behind. The latter is more of a feathered or flaky residue that produces a mess. That said, there are ways to undertake the task more effectively. For one thing, you can turn to commercial solvents explicitly made for this purpose. Also, there are specialised tools that can make the job a lot easier.
Don’t mind putting in some work and getting a little dirty? Read on for some tips on how to remove old carpet glue flooring.
So where do you start?
The first order of business is to gather the materials and tools that you will need for the job. This includes some rubber gloves, fume respirators, wet/dry vacuum, a 5-gallon bucket, floor glue stripper and chemical sprayer. You will also need a floor scraper which would make the job a lot easier.
Steps for removing old glue from carpet flooring
- Before you start the task, make sure that you are working in a safe environment for chemicals. Open all windows and doors to guarantee correct air circulation. If necessary, use a vacuum dust extractor to ensure that you don’t inhale any harmful particles.
- The next step is to prepare the floor before you can begin the clean-up procedure. Use the wet/dry vacuum to clean the levels of all debris. This will make the job much more manageable.
- Once you’ve cleared the floor of rubbish, you can begin to apply the floor stripper. Before you do this, make sure you are using the appropriate tool. Make certain to read the mixing instructions on the bottle. Some solutions do not need blending.
- Utilise a pump sprayer to apply the stripper. Make sure to check out the instructions for the pump sprayer, or it may not work effectively. Avoid overfilling the sprayer as it may cause leaks and breakage. Give the solution time to soak into the carpet glue.
- You can start the scraping process once glue stripper has had the time to work. Be careful; the floor will be slippery. Start scraping the floor with a storm battery powered floor scraper that has a flat scraper head in a steady motion. The glue will begin to accumulation on the end of the floor scraper. You will deal with the glue in the 5-gallon bucket. Continue scraping the floor up until all the glue is eliminated and you have achieved the wanted outcomes.
- When you are pleased with the outcomes, you can start to clean up the leftover glue and chemical residue from the floor. Empty all the scraped paste from the 5-gallon pail. Rinse container and fill with fresh water.
- Mop the floor with the water. Ensure to get all fractures and crevices where glue build-up may have collected. Be sure to dispose of filthy water using a wet/dry vacuum. The floor should be clean and without all glue residues.
- Finish up by wiping any excess moisture with a cloth towel, and you’re done.
So there you have it, an overview on how to remove old glue from carpet flooring! At this point, your floor is ready for a fresh coat of glue and a layer of new carpet.