Removing Foundation Tar
Dear Kim: That dampproofing tar is probably old-fashioned asphalt cement. If so, the only liquids I know that will get it off are volatile and dangerous solvents like paint thinner, gasoline, kerosene, etc. These are all distilled hydrocarbons that can soften the tar. I would not use them as the fire hazard is so extreme.
The first thing I would try is a sandblaster. If you are lucky, a tool rental shop may have a small sandblasting kit that works off of an air compressor used by carpenters. Test it for effectiveness. If it works, then move up to the industrial sandblaster that uses the giant compressor contractors use to power jack hammers.
If this fails, then contact the different foundation dampproofing companies in your area. Tell them you have to remove asphalt cement from a foundation and see if they have a suggestion. After all, they apply the asphalt cement all day and perhaps they make mistakes and spray it where it doesn't belong.
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Esmie 31 May 2009, 14:48
How can I remove tar from my cement floor? They are installing ceramic tile
in that floor.
michele 15 Sep 2009, 15:44
Help
Problem with removing tar from concrete floor which was put down under hardwood flooring. we want to lay ceramic tile and do not kinow how to remove tar safely from original concrete Please give suggestions. thanks
Ed Williams 04 Jan 2010, 22:03
I am trying to put down a new tile floor on a cement floor. The cement
floor has had inlaid linoleum with an asphalt backing previously laid on
it. When I use my straight hoe to scrape the tile up, the backing stays on
the floor. I have had to chisel it loose.
I need something that is not flamable that will disolve the tar. Any solutions?
Ted 09 Feb 2010, 21:12
Mineral spirits?
John Wilson 13 Apr 2010, 00:57
Go to your local Asphalt supplier and try to get a bottle of RELEASE. This
soy based product melts the tar off my asphalt rake when I need to clean it
at the end of the day. It doesn't work as well as diesel or a blowtorch,
but it won't threaten to burn the house down, either. I think it's soy
based, of all things.
There's another product called Flo-Tar, it's older and I haven't used it. I'd say it's worth a shot to give them both a try if you've got a lot of asphalt to clean up.
Laura 19 Apr 2010, 08:34
I have tar on the foundation too. We had our basement waterproofed. The tar
runs up the side of the foundation pretty high and we would like to paint
this tar the same color as our stone wall. Do you have any idea what type
of paint that can be painted over tar and stay? Thanks!
lyn thompson 07 Oct 2010, 13:12
I too need help removing tar from cement under old hardwood floors...some
of it came up in pieces bringing with it cement. Help
Dalton Thompson 27 Feb 2011, 23:04
I had interior and exterior tar or asphalt cement on my basement walls. I
researched everywhere and couldn't figure it out. I finally did figure out
how to remove it. If the layer is very thin. I am talking about paint thin
then a grinder with a wire cup on it will do the job. It will also grind
the concrete wall up too. Now for the thick stuff. If it is hard and
brittle then get a rotary hammer or hammer drill with a bit that is wide
and thinner at the edge. The rotary hammer does a great job at removing tar
and some concrete on the wall or floor so be careful. I had removed a
couple really thin pieces of concrete but I patched it up with some
quikrete. It is not going to hurt the strength of the building.Then you
will be left with a thin layer of it and that is when you use the grinder
with the wire cup to finish the job. I don't know how to do it if it is
gooey. I would figure you have to dry it out somehow or wait till it gets
very cold. No matter how gooey it is lower temperature will turn it into a
solid so you can rotary hammer it away. I Never tried the chemicals.
Anytime I use chemicals it never turns out the way the product promised
you.
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