Carpet Adhesive Removal

Carpet adhesive remover is toxic, read the instructions. There are a couple of solvents that are less toxic. I have a couple of choices for you if the old carpet glue is too thick and it has to be removed.

After removing the carpet, if the glue is hard enough I would scrape off the high spots with a long handled floor scraper. Some straight bladed landscaping edgers can be sharpened that will work fine. The “Big Mutt” is a forged scraper perfect for the job that sells for about $25. Scraping may leave some residue but the floating floor will not mind. Laminate floors require a padding that helps absorb some of the flaws in a floor. Remember to wear quality particle masks when scraping old flooring.

If the carpet glue is too gummy, you have to use a carpet adhesive remover. One product, Adhesive Remover, will soften the old glue so you can scrape it up like stripping paint. It is applied thick like paint stripper and left for 15 to 20 minutes to soften the old adhesive. Then the stripper and old glue is scraped off with a wide blade scraper.

Another product to try is Carpenters Solvent. It is a strong solvent that will melt the old adhesive. In could soften the old glue so it could be scraped up just as if it was still fresh.

If you have a level loop carpet you can install a laminate floor right over it. Check with a reputable flooring distributor before making any rash decisions.

If the carpet is to make ripping up the old carpet easier, rent some carpet ripper clamps. A carpet ripper clamp is a small hand tool that clamps onto the old carpet. You will want to cut the carpet into three-or four-foot widths first, so it can be rolled and tied for easier disposal. Use a large “brake-off-blade” knife because the concrete will ruin the knife-edge with every cut.

According to Kurt Ladendorf from House to Home Interiors, you should not have to touch the glue if you install a floating floor. He warns of installing a floating floor in a basement if the floors are not level enough. Areas around floor drains can cause problems.