Tricks Of The Trade: Sub-Carpet Discoveries

By B. Kevin Folsom, CEP
Published in the August 2013 issue of Today’s Facility Manager

QI’m having trouble removing several years’ worth of old glue and paint that was under an indoor/outdoor carpet I have removed. Do you know of a good solution that would do the job? I need to repaint the concrete floor after I have it as clean as I can get it.

Bill Stoick
Stoick Management, Inc.

AThis is a tough job! I have been successful by using paint stripper with a scraper and wire brush for a job like this. Once it is cleaned, I would scrub the area with water; then use a Wet-Vac to remove the solution before it has dried.

If the paint you’re using requires direct to concrete application, you may have to grind the concrete with a diamond pad to a virgin surface.