Anybody recommend a solution to remove the adhesive that doesn't smell so bad it drives the Deers off?

How much do I need to remove to be able to install ceramic tile? All the way to concrete?



Thanks

Is that linoleum or the backer ?

Pull the top layer off and soak the lower part with a spray bottle. Then using a razor scraperr, or a multi tool with a scraper blade or a sawzall with a scraper blade.

If you have a lot to do you can also rent a large electric scraper from any Home Depot.

All the way to concrete if you want to do it correctly

[This message has been edited by Jp76 (edited 7/26/2014 3:01p).]

Dark/grey color is concrete. Beige color is the adhesive.

Remove all the way to the concrete.

We got Superstrip at Sherman Williams.

WEAR A MASK, VERY HEAVY GLOVES, OPEN WINDOWS

Apply a thin layer of this thick goo and 10 minutes later you can scrape adhesive off with zero effort. We used a metal scraper on a pole. Tape off the toe kick of your cabinets; this will take the finish right off!





[This message has been edited by dubi (edited 7/27/2014 11:37a).]

We rented an electric scraper and it would not take off the backing from 1960's vinyl flooring!

[This message has been edited by dubi (edited 7/27/2014 8:37p).]

7" grinder with vac. Mechanical removal is always better than chemical removal.

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7" grinder with vac. Mechanical removal is always better than chemical removal.

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I will agree with you but we couldn't grind 800+ sq feet of concrete.

Thanks dubi. Pick some up tomorrow!

Dubi
Was it a weighted scraper ?
Did you try soaking the floor before using it ?
The only problem I've ever had with it not working is when the blade is dull and then you have to either sharpen it or find a replacement.

JP,
It was the most enormous scraper that we could rent and we got 3 new blades too. It just would not remove the backing after working on it 2 days. We wet it down and soak over night and still no success.

Hence the Superstrip and we were done in less than a day. Lots and lots of Superstrip!

Fishing Fools,
what a small world that we have a Doss sticker on our truck and you made the originals. I wish that I'd made it home to meet you today. Good luck with your floor.

I've installed lots of tile. As long as the floor is level and nothing is pulling up by hand you can tile over it. Just make sure you mop the floor really well so the mastic/thinset has a good surface to stick to.

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As long as the floor is level and nothing is pulling up by hand you can tile over it.

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I think we will agree to disagree.

We scrape the concrete bare before tiling. Every time.

Boiling water. Let it soak in and then start scraping.

I just ripped up all the tile in my new house ~1300sq ft worth only to find the dreaded asphalt cutback adhesive underneath. Flooring guys recommended I skim coat the entire house with Mapei Planiprep SC. Relatively easy process especially if you have 2-3 people helping.

I always used a 4" hand scraper. The trick is to buy a lot of blades and replace them about every 5 minutes. The blade has to be nice and sharp to really work. I never tried any other method.

Agree with others who said large angle grinder with ceramic cup grinder. Pain in the ass but you don't want to screw up a tile install with bad subfloor prep.