How to remove tar paper from a wood floor?

Question

There is tar paper with thick black adhesive on the floor and it is impossible to scrap up. The wood floor underneath is getting damaged. It also is taking a long time and alot of work to get it done. If anyone know of a adhesive remover or a easier way to get it up.

Answer 1

Go and rent a machine designed to remove vinyl flooring. Be careful not to gouge the floor with the machine, so that you don't damage the wood. Just try to get the paper part off, don't worry about the tar.

Once the paper is out of the way, you will need a heavy duty solvent to remove the tar. Experiment with very small quantities until you find one that will dissolve the tar best...and use fans and open the windows. You don't want to breathe those fumes.

Once the tar is up, you will have to sand the floor to get a uniform color. Use a belt sander for most of it, then use a palm sander for the edges. Use fine grit paper. Then you will need to stain the floor and then seal the floor. Then your best bet would be to apply a polyurethane finish to it. If you use the polyurethane you won't need to wax it all of the time. You can get it to look almost brand new, but it will take alot of work.

Answer 2

I have heard of different methods that depend on if it is tar or one of various types of adhesive. Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be a quick and easy method. I had a similar condition on an old floor, but determined that the underlying wood was either too thin or badly damaged to make it worth trying to refinish. I found a local mill who supplied kiln dried wide pine so I ripped up the old and put down new.

Some of the methods I have heard of for removing the adhesive include:
1. Scraping with various tools from a wood chisel to a roof shingle remover. Scrape with the grain and of course be careful about gouging the wood. As you see this can be difficult.

2. Mineral spirits, paint thinner or similar often works on tar and then scraping. Have good ventilation and be careful with sparks or heat sources.

3. Boiling water soaked towels placed on the floor for about 10 minuntes then scraping. Wring out the towels so they are not sopping wet.

4. Heat guns are sometimes used, but you run the risk of damaging the wood if you are not careful. Keep the mineral spirits away from the area if you use heat.

5. Other types of stripping agents make claims of how easy their product is, but I have not heard of a lot of success without still needing a lot of scraping.

Of course, all of these are followed by some heavy duty professional quality sanding.

Best wishes,
Jim

Answer 3

Dry ice or if your lucky to get some liquid nitrogen, but be careful with the dry ice you have to wear gloves to handle it and it puts off carbon dioxide, your best bet is to call a licensed contractor to have it done right.

Answer 4

There are electric scrappers....
I not sure if you can rent them but thats about the only way.