Black residue under old,old carpeting

**lelap** · 06-12-2011, 09:19 AM

Does anyone know how to get old glue from asbestos tile that was used to hold carpet down?

Since the tile is asbestos it would not be prudent to dislodge any tiles. The carpeting is very old and the glue won't come off the tiles.

Eventually, we will cover the asbestos tiles with different flooring but for now we will make do.
The carpet HAS to go because of my allergies.

Thanks for any help.
lelap

**Darlene** · 06-12-2011, 09:40 AM

This prob sounds goofy but another thread reminded me of something that helped us get adhesive off vinyl tiles years ago and may help you with your kind of tile too : Avons Skin-So-Soft. We tried everything and that made it come off like magic.

**lelap** · 06-12-2011, 09:54 AM

Now that doesn't sound goofy at all compared to a what a friend suggested: peanut butter! Wouldn't my three dogs love that?
Thanks for the idea, I'll have to find a good test area and see what works the best. I think this will be a big job.

**ktsmama** · 06-12-2011, 04:07 PM

Please, Please get a professional to look at this!! I work in this business and the only thing that will get those asbestos tiles and mastic up is a heat machine and a very caustic solution spread on the "black stuff" that is left. If you start taking these up and break them, you will be releasing asbestos into your home. This will continually be recirculated throughout your house through your heat and air system.

Good luck.

**JerryG** · 06-20-2011, 09:00 PM

If you simply need to remove the carpet and the black residue and leave the tiles as is, you can use "Goo-B-Gone" which you can pick up at your closest hardware store.
It's orange, don't be frightened, it works very quickly but you'll have to wash off the final residue w/ soap and hot water.

You absolutely do NOT want to take a razor blade to it to remove the black residue, obviously.

We just did this on a rental but maybe a week ago.

If your carpet was tacked into the linoleum, you're talking another health risk. Ours was tacked into the walls.

**michael b** · 06-21-2011, 09:48 PM

Because you used the word "ASBESTOS" you should not be trying to handle this on your own! I would contact a professional ASAP.

If however, this turns out to not be asbestos, you can try using an industrial scrapper and a blow torch/heat source to loosen the glue while scrapping it away.

**lelap** · 07-05-2011, 06:16 PM

Jerry G,

Another friend mentioned Goo b Gone. Is that what is sold for hands or does it come in other variations(I don't get out much). As far as I know the carpet is not tacked down any where, just glued.

Eventually we will cover the tile, but for awhile it will be exposed and I don't want the glue showing.

Are you happy with the way your project turned out?
Thanks so much for your response.