At Onfloor Technology, we provide the most advanced and efficient tools for all your commercial contractor concrete floor and mastic removal needs. As a contractor, you should be equipped with the best of the best tools for your jobs. For baths and showers, HMA is generally best. Although if your bath is made from very thin and flimsy plastic, an LMA might be best as it’s more flexible. Don't forget to wear safety gear such as goggles, masks, and respirators before you begin. This method might not use chemicals, but grinding up mastic into dust can create dangerous particles to breathe. Using commercial-grade tools can risk bodily harm as well.

Mastic is always easier to remove when it's fresh, but if you're pulling up a carpet from a concrete floor, you're likely to encounter the huge job of removing it after it's dried. Mastic removal is a difficult task, but not impossible. You should also try lightly sanding or grinding before you try applying more pressure. Only use as much pressure as is necessary to remove the mastic. The only way to get a professional finish with silicone is to use this kit, forget 'wetted' fingers, masking tape and all the other rubbish that people have told you, this kit, if used correctly, will give a finish that only professional can obtain, without the mess which is normally associated with silicone.

Hand-held concrete floor grinders are small and portable options. Less powerful models sand and polish, but don't do well with grinding. They usually have connections for a water source to allow for wet sanding, and they come with different speed options. LMA (Low Modulus Acetoxy) is a general-purpose mastic sealant that can be used indoors and outdoors. It works best on smooth non-porous surfaces. Low modulus means it’s very flexible. I'd highly recommend this product, especially for all DIY sealant jobs around the home. Easily cleaned. Reduces silicone waste too. Really no mess...and hassle free to use. Handy box to keep profile tools clean, accessible and damage free! Walk-behind concrete floor grinders will help you do the job standing up rather than all your knees all day. They'll also wield considerably more power than hand-held models.

Some methods of removing mastic also require harsh chemicals. You should try less severe methods to remove the mastic before you resort to more dangerous methods. Doing so could limit your exposure to chemicals while still achieving a successful removal. Not all hand-held grinders can handle the tough job of bringing up mastic. They also are not as durable and might not last as long as bigger and more powerful models.The only thing that I would caution against is using the saw tooth tool to remove old silicone because if, like me, you are not in complete control of it you can scratch other surfaces very easily. I resorted to using a sharp wood chisel to remove the rest of the old silicone. Start scrubbing the mastic with your acetone-soaked brush until the glue melts and lifts from the concrete. Wipe the mastic away with a clean cloth as you go, and clean the concrete once you're finished with a mop and water. If you’ve never used a mastic gun before, go and practice somewhere else, perhaps under the sink in your kitchen or under the stairs, anywhere where it’s hidden from view. Acetone is flammable and gives off toxic fumes, so handle with care. Unlike ammonia, you don't have to mix acetone with water. Instead, pour acetone into a tray for dipping your coarse bristle brush. Once the glue is removed, you'll want to clean the concrete to remove the remaining chemicals. Use a mop with fresh water and then allow the concrete to dry.

A mastic sealant comes handy when sealing your windows, waterproofing your bathroom among other uses. However, the sealant can become ineffective due to old age, which is why it has to be changed from time to time. Removing old mastic sealant might seem an easy DIY task, but you can end up damaging the shower, sink or bathtub you are trying to reseal. This is why such work should be left to professional mastic sealant contractors. One of my friends is a double glazier of 20 years and even he was surprised how easy Fui's are to use and the qualtiy of the finish! You'll want to work in small sections to keep yourself safe from burns. Put a small pot of water on the stove or in an electric kettle and pour the boiled water on a select area. Make sure you're pouring the water very close to the floor so that you don't get burns from splashes. Mastic is carpet glue. It's a very strong glue that's meant to withstand all the beating that carpets get throughout their lifetime. It needs to hold carpet in place while people walk and run on it, as well as when people drag and spin furniture.

The Dangers of Removing Mastic

Unlike with the other methods, it's important to use grinders and sanders evenly across the whole floor. Instead of focusing on one area, you should travel evenly around the room as to not grind down one area further than others. Mistakes like that are costly. Start scrubbing an area of the concrete with the ammonia solution and a coarse bristle brush.As you go, remove the pieces of mastic that come up.

You can try the water, iron, or another tool that will help heat the area as a way to pull up the mastic. Similar to the boiling water method, the ironing method applies heat to the glue. The hope is that the heat will make the glue gum up and be easier to scrape off.For general-purpose sanitary sealing such as baths, sinks and shower units, Dow Corning 785 is a great option. Understanding how mastic works can help you better prepare for its removal. For example, temperature and chemicals can help alter the mastic so that it's more easily removed. Sometimes, just a little hard labor can pull it up from the concrete. You can improve upon this method even more by pouring the boiling water onto a towel that's been laid on the floor. The towel will keep the water in one spot and retain the heat so that the mastic has more exposure. If all else fails, it might be time to bring out commercial-grade tools. Instead of melting away the glue, you can grind it away from the concrete.