
Thinset manufacturers recommend removing all traces of carpet adhesive if you plan to bond the tile directly to a surface that previously had glue-down carpeting. Should the tile get wet, the mastic may soften, negatively affecting the bond of the tile to the substrate. The adhesive (often called carpet mastic) used under most glue-down carpet is usually water-soluble and tends to prevent thinset from properly adhering. It should also be remembered that the removal of asbestos-based resilient tile requires very different handling and the comments above do not apply to such installations.Ĭan I set tile on the residue of carpet adhesive? Generally, chemical removal is not a good idea because the solvents used to remove the adhesive can drive "bond-breakers" deeper into the concrete. Wash Tiles Thoroughly: Add a squirt of dish soap or a cup of granulated sugar to a bucket of warm water and then apply it to the areas where thinset is present. If the adhesive is softened by water, then it should be removed by shot-blasting.

There are also black-colored latex-based vinyl adhesives that will not hold up under ceramic tile if they get wet. Note, not all thinsets will bond to cutback so it is important to make sure the thinset used is made for that purpose.Īlso, the adhesive must be true "cut back." That means it was made from asphaltic material, is not water sensitive, and will not soften when exposed to water. Typically, the "cut back" should be scraped smooth so the tile is not sitting on ridges of adhesive - although it does not have to be absolutely flat. Fortunately, most grout and mortar manufacturers make a thinset which will bond to "cut back" adhesive. Physically removing all coatings is the most reliable way to make sure you have an appropriate surface to which to bond tile but the old asphaltic (black) adhesives (often called "cut-back") can be very difficult to remove unless you use shot-blasting equipment. Whether or not a person should ever set thinset and tile to the glue left behind when non-asbestos vinyl tile was removed depends on the type of glue left behind.

Can I bond tile to the black "cutback" residue left when old vinyl tiles were removed?.Whether the job is industrial or residential, we offer a no-dust solution to flooring removal of any kind. If you are unsure of the process, or just simply do not want to give up the resources, time, and energy, Dustbusters can help! Most of our flooring removal projects can be completed within one day.
#Removem thinset from tile install#
If you are considering removing tile or stone, you will need to consider also removing the thinset cement solution that was used to install the flooring. Only expert machinery and professionals can make sure that your thinset cement is removed completely, safely, and precisely! How Dustbusters Can Help with Thinset Cement Removal Construction dust can lead to numerous health issues and remain floating around in the air for weeks if not thoroughly cleaned.
#Removem thinset from tile manual#
Although you may think that injury caused by manual demolition may be a cause for safety concern when it comes to removing thinset cement, construction dust is the number one safety hazard throughout the process. Dustbusters removes thinset cement with innovative technologies that not only quickly and precisely remove thinset, but also suck up any debris and dust that the thinset gives off upon demolition. With the right tools and materials, it can be done safely and effectively. For the average Joe, this process by hand can take days. Removal of Thinset Cementīecause the floor surface needs to be completely level for new flooring to be installed, thinset cement needs to be removed entirely. For more sturdy and longer-lasting tile laying, thinset cement was used and is still the go-to adhesive for tiling and stone flooring today. This process worked, but the end result was tiling that was not as secure or resistant to elements. Why Does Thinset Need to be Installed?īefore the days of thinset cement, tile and stone flooring was laid directly onto wet cement.

Because it’s an adhesive, it is the last layer that needs removal during the removal process and the most challenging to remove. Usually applied to cement or concrete surfaces before flooring installation, thinset cement is what holds flooring into place so that it can be applied to the ground surface for many years to come. Before any new flooring project can commence, thinset cement is the last thing that needs to be removed from a surface. Thinset, or more commonly referred to as drybond mortar, dryset mortar, or mud, is an adhesive used in installing tile or stone flooring. The Ins and Outs of Removing Thinset Cement
