Removing Tar Paper From Concrete Floor

This is what my completed project looks like.

Removing tar paper from concrete floor.

When you remove that floor covering to make way for new flooring you may encounter the mastic and wonder whether it is safe to remove the main concern surrounding this question is that black mastic often contains asbestos. However concrete is also quite porous which makes it difficult to remove sticky stains such as tar. After removing as much of the tar paper or felt as you can with a scraper sand the rest off using a drum type floor sander available at tool rental stores starting with coarse 40 grit sandpaper. Once all the residue has been removed go over the floor several more times with successively finer grits of sandpaper 80 grit 100 grit and 120 grit to further smooth the floors and.

The materials chosen for the floors determine the type of adhesive necessary. Removing the tar paper to reveal the wood can be a difficult and time consuming task. It s possible to clean tar off a concrete floor but it can require substantial physical effort and possibly harsh chemical solutions. There actually seems to be a dearth of information on efficient ways to do this.

Often placed under linoleum or other resilient flooring products it was designed to act as a moisture barrier over existing wood or cement floors. Before you begin make sure you read the label directions and wear protective gear including. Tar paper and black mastic is no match for a wallpaper steamer and some wood soap. It can still be found when the floor of such a home is pulled up.

Black tar was a popular option for flooring adhesive in homes built prior to the 1970s. Common in homes built in the 20th century black mastic was used as an adhesive for ceramic tile linoleum and other flooring materials. Learn how to steam black mastic or tar paper off your floors. Many homeowners find that they have beautiful wood floors hidden beneath this tar paper.

This is the most efficient and inexpensive way that i ve found. It s economical looks interesting and is quite durable even with heavy use and traffic. Tar is probably the last substance you d expect to come up easily from any surface let alone concrete but you re about to be pleasantly surprised. A word of advice.