Removing old adhesive from quarry tiles

abankerbutnotafatcat

Hi, we've pulled up some laminate and found the original quarry tiles underneath. If it makes any difference they're 15cm square red tiles and black tiles in a diamond pattern. There was the remnants of old lino/vinyl tiles on the quarry tiles and we've removed was was easily removable but about 50% of the tiles are covered in a hard substance that I presume to be old adhesive which cannot be chipped away.

Does anyone have any ideas of the tools and process to attempt to remove the adhesive or whatever it is without damaging the tiles?:)

ilikewatch

Is the hard substance you're referring to black? If so it's probably bitumen based - have a search for "remove bitumen adhesive", then prepare for lots of hard work. Also, it may well be worth having a sample of the adhesive and any remaining vinyl tiles tested for asbestos before you start interfering with them.

abankerbutnotafatcat

Hi, thanks, actually it's grey. We've been referring to it amongst ourselves as concrete but I don't think it can actually be that as at least half of it has come away. It's a very thin layer, maybe 1 or 2 mm.

plumb1_2

it is probably be self leveling compound. you could use a brick cleaner to remove. Lots of hard work.

abankerbutnotafatcat

Would that be by hand or with a power tool of some sort? It's not a big area, maybe 1m by 2m so we can cope with the work within reason.