Tile & Carpet Mastic Removal Services

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. Ottawa Concrete Polishing has the specialty equipment and tooling to perform even the toughest mastic removal projects.

Mastic Removal

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 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. 

If leveling compound is found present during a VCT and Mastic removal project, the floor is not suitable for polishing.

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. Ottawa Concrete Polishing 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 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. Ottawa Concrete Polishing 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

Ottawa concrete Polishing 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.

We have the answers in with very affordable pricing and the most experienced concrete polishing contractors in the business!