Removing Tar Paper From Concrete Floor

Removing the black tar is a time consuming process but can be done properly with a strong solvent and the right.

Removing tar paper from concrete floor.

This is the most efficient and inexpensive way that i ve found. 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. 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. This is what my completed project looks like.

A word of advice. There actually seems to be a dearth of information on efficient ways to do this. Concrete flooring has many fans for a number of reasons. Learn how to steam black mastic or tar paper off your floors.

Common in homes built in the 20th century black mastic was used as an adhesive for ceramic tile linoleum and other flooring materials. Often placed under linoleum or other resilient flooring products it was designed to act as a moisture barrier over existing wood or cement floors. Removing the tar paper to reveal the wood can be a difficult and time consuming task. You can achieve professional results with relative ease by following this advice for cleaning virtually any mess from concrete.

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. Many homeowners find that they have beautiful wood floors hidden beneath this tar paper. 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.

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. The materials chosen for the floors determine the type of adhesive necessary. Before you begin make sure you read the label directions and wear protective gear including. However concrete is also quite porous which makes it difficult to remove sticky stains such as tar.