2006-07-20 15:09:10 · 6 answers · asked by hortonbug 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Do It Yourself (DIY)
I vaguely remember a show about this and the person used something flammable and it erupted into flames burning him terribly. I think he used a flammable product then an electric floor buffer and it exploded into flames.
Just be careful what you use and how you do it. Read all container labels.
2006-07-20 17:04:34 · answer #1 · answered by Lake Lover 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
DO NOT USE ACETONE. Unless you want a nice little fire in your house... Just a spark of static electricity is enough to set off acetone. Ive worked with acetone and other inflammable material safely for a number of years.... I was once walking past a gentleman using a little acetone and a cloth just to clean the interior of a newly built cabinet, and his cloth flamed up in his hand, just from wiping the cabinet. You DEFINITELY do NOT want to use enough of it to remove glue from a whole floor!
Unfortunately, elbow grease is still the best method for removing the rubber backing from carpets. Here is a link to a question that was similar. One thing I would add....for glue on the floor, you may want to get a 'pole sander' and some ScotchBrite pads. A pole sander is what someone would use when sanding drywall joints... you can find them at your local hardware supply store... the ScotchBrite pads are located, usually, in the finishing department, with sandpaper, etc.
I would also suggest using a dustmask, and providing some kind of ventilation... its going to be dirty, and sticky in that basement before you're done.
One alternative, would be if you could rent a floor buffer, and used some stripping pads....could be rough holding onto it tho, with the glue on the floor. Another alternative might be to rent a floor sander, like is used for hardwood flooring.... use it at the slowest speed possible, and provide plenty of ventilation. Using the floor scraper is still the safest option.
Be Safe!
2006-07-20 16:54:51 · answer #2 · answered by thewrangler_sw 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
After pulling the carpet up and picking off anything big enough to get by hand...
I'd recommend a wire brush to loosen the bigger stuff, and acetone to disolve the sticky remnant.
2006-07-20 15:15:52 · answer #3 · answered by Eric 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you can buy what is called a tile floor scrapper at home depot. they are five foot or so handles with a agnled blade from ten to 16 inches wide. you can take up cermaic tile, 12 inch asbesto's tiles or any flooring along with the rubber backing. they range from 20.00 on up.
2006-07-20 18:39:02 · answer #4 · answered by hollywood71@verizon.net 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Before you go to acetone, try scraping off all excess and wetting the area then scrape again. It is possible it is sticking by use and not really glued.
2006-07-20 15:22:29 · answer #5 · answered by Carol H 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
use a 8" scraper you can get from home depot and a lot of elbow grease
2006-07-24 13:39:49 · answer #6 · answered by Joe L 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋