Mastic is the glue that holds down carpet, VCT (vinyl tile), and other flooring systems. It is often adhered directly to the concrete and is very difficult to remove without certain equipment. Titus Restoration has the specialty equipment and tooling to perform even the toughest mastic removal projects.
Mastic Removal
Black Mastic Under VCT
We are specialized in a variety of mastic removal projects and are equipped for any floor adhesive removal your project requires. Some tile adhesive is very difficult to remove from concrete, making your desired result seem an impossibility. We can provide the flooring removal or just the following mastic types down to the bare concrete without harsh chemicals so you can have the floor you want!
- Cutback Adhesive or Black Mastic Removal
- Tan Mastic or other Tile Adhesives
- Carpet Adhesive (Carpet Glue)
Cutback Adhesive Removal
Black cutback adhesive is often found in older buildings (prior to 1984), factories, or warehouses. It is a thick, asphaltic substance that can seem impossible to remove or bond to again. There are mastic remover products available, but the best method for completing removing is by wet grinding.Other mastic remover solvents can have heavy fumes and toxic clean-up. Not to mention asbestos. This older black mastic, most often contains asbestos and should require a professional mastic remover. Titus can remove asbestos in most states with no additional cost to the contractor or owner.
Leveling Compound Under VCT and Mastic
Titus can diamond grind all evidence of mastic down to bare polished concrete by a combination of wet scraping and grinding. On many projects, removing mastic will present new challenges in each room depending on the conditions during the time of installation. For example, we performed a VCT and mastic removal and cutback adhesive removal where we were going to polish the existing concrete beneath it due to moisture vapor transmission problems. When the vinyl tile was removed, it was discovered that the mastic was on top of a leveling compound.
Cutback adhesive typically requires complete removal prior to application of the tile adhesives as the two products are not compatible and will not bond. In this case completely removing cutback adhesive is necessary and is best performed by a mastic removal contractor.
Tile Adhesive Removal
In addition to black mastic removal, there are other vinyl adhesives or tiles glues that you might require to be removed to the bare concrete. Some of these are tan mastics, thin set, or other contact glues. If the concrete beneath the tile adhesive is going to be polished, it is important to remember that the grid pattern beneath the tile will remain visible, we call this ghosting. Titus does not use an adhesive remover because of the toxic fumes that are often associated with these types of solvents. Instead we use a diamond grinding method to eliminate the vinyl adhesives.
Carpet Adhesive Removal
Carpet Removal Reveals Carpet Mastic
Carpet adhesive removal presents a different set of challenges. It can be a sticky, gummy mess for those trying to remove carpet glue from concrete. We have the tools necessary to perform this floor glue removal service at your project.
Compatibility of the old and new mastics will determine the scope of floor mastic removal required. It is important to ensure the long term compatibility of any mastic to be left on the floor with the new products to be installed. Floor mastic compatibility may not be issue immediately but can become a serious issue over just 2 or 3 years. Titus always recommends complete floor adhesive removal down to bare, clean concrete. Sometimes budget constraints do not allow for complete mastic removal, and consultation with the flooring installer or project specifier is a must to ensure compatibility
Titus has seen projects where mastics have been skim coated with a cementitious material and then new mastic and tile applied. Again, everyone makes decisions based on the funds available and the intended duration of the finished tile or carpet project, but we feel that it is safe to say that this is at best a compromise to the best cast scenario, which of course be have all the old mastic removed and install the new mastic and new tile directly on bare concrete.