ASTM F 710 Concrete to Receive Resilient Flooring states; There are a number of commercial adhesive removers that will properly remove adhesive residue from a subfloor; however, there are concerns that these products may adversely affect the new adhesive and new floor covering.

The Resilient Floor Covering Institute’s (RFCI’s) recommended work practices for removal of ex-isting resilient floor coverings states; These products may leave a solvent residue within the sub-floor that can adversely affect the new adhesive or floor covering. Thus, the warranties provided by the manufacturers of new floor covering materials will not cover instances where subfloor conditions damage their products or effect their installation.

Armstrong Floors states; Many adhesive removal products contain solvents that leave a residue within the subfloor. This residue can negatively affect the new adhesive and bleed through the new floor covering. The warranties provided by manufacturers of new floor covering materials will not cover instances where existing subfloor conditions damage their products or affect their installation.

Tarkett states; Tarkett does not recommend the use of solvent-based adhesive removers. These products leave a residue within the substrate that can adversely affect the new adhesive and flooring material.

The problem is that chemical adhesive removers are made to dissolve old existing adhesive, and will impregnate the subfloor that will eventually work its way back out of the subfloor. If moisture is present in the substrate, which it always is to some degree, and the new flooring material is non permeable, either hard surface flooring or carpet tiles, a reaction is most likely inevitable that will cause a failure in the installation that is not covered by the flooring manufacturer.

If any residual is left behind on the substrate there is a risk that the new adhesive will be af-fected. Another potential problem is when adhesive remover is used to remove black cutback residue and the soup of old adhesive and the removal chemical settles into cracks in the con-crete.

Even if the cracks are patched this residue can work itself up to the surface and discolor the new floor from the bottom up. Flash patching the subfloor does not create a bar-rier to stop the migration of these products up through and affecting the new flooring and adhesive.

Mapei has just introduced two new products that will encapsulate the adhesive remover.

First, the slab must be cleaned using Mapei Planiprep SA which is a scouring agent that chemically etches the concrete for the next step.

Second, the slab is then treated with Plani-prep ET. Planiprep ET is a penetrating epoxy subfloor treatment that penetrates deeply into the concrete and strengthening and creating a suitable surface for application of all Mapei adhesives that are approved for use on non-porous substrates. If the slab would need smoothed out, prime the Planiprep ET with Mapei Primer T and skim coat over the Primer T.

Also, the system above provides subfloor moisture control for concrete slabs up to 12-lbs. Calcium Chloride and 90% Relative Hu-midity without the need for shotblasasdting the concrete.

Special Thanks to JJ Haines for the information