Removing Parquet Flooring from Cement

[Darol Wester]

I ran across a job today that needs about 300 feet of this pulled up from cement. I tried prying it with a long handled scraper but it didn't budge. It just started to tear it apart, but not from the floor. I've never had the pleasure of pulling this stuff before and was curious what would be a good mode of attack for removing it.

I'm thinking a much younger person for the job.

 

[FloorMaven]

Serious leverage.

 

[Darol Wester]

Which brings me back to a younger person.

 

[FloorMaven]

Yeah, or equipment designed for the elderly.

 

[Darol Wester]

We use to have a nice power floor stripper/scrapper we used for lots of vinyl tear outs back in the early 80's. I'm thinking it might be worth a try to rent one of those and use a narrow blade to see if that would do the job.

 

[Ernesto]

Yea, if all else fails a turbo stripper works. Or maybe flood it with water. That always makes wood give.

 

[Darol Wester]

This house caught fire and the parquet was good and wet from the fire guys, but it's still stuck plenty good. Go figure.

 

[havasu]

A small air chisel and a nearby grinder to keep the 1" wide chisel sharp will work wonders.

 

[FloorMaven]

I own and use a jackhammer with a six inch wide spring steel blade. It pretty much removes anything I've encountered.

 

[havasu]

I'd give my left... er...leg to have one of those beasts.

 

[Floorist]

A couple pounds of C-4.

 

[Butcher]

A small air chisel and a nearby grinder to keep the 1" wide chisel sharp will work wonders.

See Daris...ya gotta trust me...I already told you this

 

[DarisMulkin]

See Daris...ya gotta trust me...I already told you this

How did I get into this mix?? You must have meant my other brother DAROL..

Daris

 

[Darol Wester]

I own and use a jackhammer with a six inch wide spring steel blade. It pretty much removes anything I've encountered.

That's a good looking machine and layout for the tear up. In my case, the floor is swelled from the water. How is it getting the material out from under them without damaging the jambs?

I guess a guy could cut the material close to the jamb, then use an undercut/jamb saw to carve the rest out.

I like that tool! What's it called?

 

[FloorMaven]

This house caught fire and the parquet was good and wet from the fire guys, but it's still stuck plenty good. Go figure.

If a water based adhesive was used sometimes adding water to the cured adhesive gives it fresh legs.

 

[Darol Wester]

See Daris...ya gotta trust me...I already told you this

Yep. That's twice. I AM liking the looks of that wider blade. I'm gonna have to do some tests I see.

 

[FloorMaven]

The nice thing about removing parquet is that it's cut into little pieces already.

I like that tool! What's it called?

It's a TE706 demolition hammer considered medium duty in the hilti line.
Here's a nice deal on a 905.

 

[Darol Wester]

It looks as though someone floated the entire floor with a patch before spreading the glue, which made the take up somewhat of a breeze. At least it looks that way.

I'll have a look at the local tool rental to see if they've got something like that.

Thanks!

 

[havasu]

Darol, you could always purchase it and I would happily store it at my house, with no storage fees!


I know, I'm a giver....

 

[Darol Wester]

Darol, you could always purchase it and I would happily store it at my house, with no storage fees!


I know, I'm a giver....

Now that's a VERY generous offer! And I'd only have a mere 7-800 mile drive down there to get it. You'll have to give me some time to think on it. I really hate taking advantage of people like that.