Removing old tile adhesive residue from external step.

oopsadaisydoddle

As the title says, our external step was tiled and they were coming loose so we removed them.

The thing is it has left loads of lumps of what I can only imagine the adhesive used for the old tiles. I've tried chipping away at it with a chisel but there are quite a few bits that just won't budge. Can anyone recommend anything that could get the step smooth again with the intention of painting it please?

Thanks in advance,

Oops

societys_child

Perhaps a stone Grinding wheel in an angle grinder. You'll probably end up with circular score marks though which won't look too good although a poly disc may help to get a good finish.

Alternative is to cap the step with a 12" x 36" paving slab, or similar but this would lift it a couple of inches. May need cutting to size obviously.

CashisKing

Assuming it's tile adhesive, get a steam wallpaper stripper and a sharp scraper on it. I was amazed when I tried this when cleaning off the old adhesive in a bathroom

oopsadaisydoddle

CashisKing wrote: »

Assuming it's tile adhesive, get a steam wallpaper stripper and a sharp scraper on it. I was amazed when I tried this when cleaning off the old adhesive in a bathroom

Thanks for the replies!

I don't think it is time adhesive because it looks like some kind of cement (?)...I really have no idea of these things. I has been there for years and years though and the majority of the times just fell off so I might try what you said because I've nothing to lose!

We bought the house after DH grandma died and I know his Grandad tiled the step mid 80's I think. He wasn't the best at DIY either!

keystone

CashisKing wrote: »

Assuming it's tile adhesive, get a steam wallpaper stripper and a sharp scraper on it. I was amazed when I tried this when cleaning off the old adhesive in a bathroom

That works for tubbed stuff which dries by evaporation so put some water back in and it loosens up. Not a hope I'm afraid for cement based adhesive which is 99% certain what this is.

Cheers

keystone

oopsadaisydoddle wrote: »

Thanks for the replies!

I don't think it is time adhesive because it looks like some kind of cement (?)...I really have no idea of these things. I has been there for years and years though and the majority of the times just fell off so I might try what you said because I've nothing to lose!

We bought the house after DH grandma died and I know his Grandad tiled the step mid 80's I think. He wasn't the best at DIY either!

Use one of these:



with a lump hammer or if you can borrow an 3 mode SDS drill use it on chisel function with one of these: