Anyone know how to remove this stuff? (Home repair question)

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Anyone know how to remove this stuff? (Home repair question)

Posted: 2/1/2011 12:04:58 PM EDT

The brown stuff between the concrete and the wall. I'm going to be putting down a coat of epoxy paint on my concrete floor to make it look nice and new but this crap in the seam between the floor and the wall is old and nasty and moldy and I want it gone before I spend a bunch of money on floor treatment. You can see in the picture I've been picking at it with a screw driver but not much is coming up.

Posted: 2/1/2011 12:12:33 PM EDT

[#1]

bueler?

Posted: 2/1/2011 12:15:55 PM EDT

[#2]

get a bottle of MAPP gas and torch it off...won't take long..

Posted: 2/1/2011 12:17:58 PM EDT

[#3]

Quoted:

get a bottle of MAPP gas and torch it off...won't take long..

I knew someone was going to say fire. Fire isn't an option sadly enough.

Posted: 2/1/2011 12:22:09 PM EDT

[#4]

Grinder + Elbow Grease!

Posted: 2/1/2011 12:22:18 PM EDT

[#5]

I think it expansion material, use a pry bar and pry it out. But you may want to leave it, if you are on a slab, and water gets down there and freezes it could crack your foundation. I'm not in construction so this is just IMHO.

ETA: spelling, and since in AZ freezing may not be a problem.

Posted: 2/1/2011 12:22:43 PM EDT

[#6]

What is it?
If its adhesive, a sharp brick chisel and a hammer is your best bet.

Posted: 2/1/2011 12:24:29 PM EDT

[#7]

Quoted:

What is it?

If its adhesive, a sharp brick chisel and a hammer is your best bet.

Its similar to very thick cardboard. I tried a chisle and hammer it just kind of squashes it.

Posted: 2/1/2011 12:24:53 PM EDT

[#8]

Install base over it after you apply the epoxy.

Posted: 2/1/2011 12:25:26 PM EDT

[#9]

Quoted:

I think it expansion material, use a pry bar and pry it out. But you may want to leave it, if you are on a slab, and water gets down there and freezes it could crack your foundation. I'm not in construction so this is just IMHO.

ETA: spelling, and since in AZ freezing may not be a problem.

Well after I get that crap out of there my plan was to fill it with concrete repair caulk to just below floor level and then epoxy over it.

Posted: 2/1/2011 12:26:38 PM EDT

[#10]

is it an expansion joint?

Posted: 2/1/2011 12:28:16 PM EDT

[#11]

Someone already said a grinder. I would try and angle grinder and a wire wheel to get in there. After you get enough of it out, apply your finish. Then tape off the seam on both sides and use a polyurathane caulk to seal it. After you smooth the bead, remove the tape and you should have a nice finished seam.

Posted: 2/1/2011 12:28:17 PM EDT

[#12]

It's there for a reason:
Fiber Expansion Joint

Posted: 2/1/2011 12:29:07 PM EDT

[#13]

Quoted:

is it an expansion joint?

Looks/sounds like it.

Posted: 2/1/2011 12:29:54 PM EDT

[#14]

Quoted:
I think it expansion material, use a pry bar and pry it out. But you may want to leave it, if you are on a slab, and water gets down there and freezes it could crack your foundation. I'm not in construction so this is just IMHO.

ETA: spelling, and since in AZ freezing may not be a problem.

Jon00Jon has it correct... it's expansion material. It is actually a pressed fiber board. I've found that a large flat bladed screwdriver and rubber mallet works pretty good. Just tap the screwdriver in at an angle towards the area you already have dug out and gouge away. Comes up pretty easy once you use the mallet to work the screwdriver in.

Posted: 2/1/2011 12:32:03 PM EDT

[#15]

Quoted:
It's there for a reason:
Fiber Expansion Joint

This.

Leave it alone. Just paint over/around/on/between/under etc.. You get the idea.

Posted: 2/1/2011 12:33:57 PM EDT

[#16]

Quoted:

Quoted:
It's there for a reason:
Fiber Expansion Joint

This.

Leave it alone. Just paint over/around/on/between/under etc.. You get the idea.

It can be neatened up a bit

Posted: 2/1/2011 12:35:17 PM EDT

[#17]

That was put down before the concrete was poured, so it's going to be a pain to remove. I'd think a small pry bar would work. But you should put something in its place to keep the joint from filling up full of crap and damaging the walls, silicone maybe?

Good luck.

Posted: 2/1/2011 12:35:59 PM EDT

[#18]

Quoted:

Quoted:

I think it expansion material, use a pry bar and pry it out. But you may want to leave it, if you are on a slab, and water gets down there and freezes it could crack your foundation. I'm not in construction so this is just IMHO.

ETA: spelling, and since in AZ freezing may not be a problem.

Jon00Jon has it correct... it's expansion material. It is actually a pressed fiber board. I've found that a large flat bladed screwdriver and rubber mallet works pretty good. Just tap the screwdriver in at an angle towards the area you already have dug out and gouge away. Comes up pretty easy once you use the mallet to work the screwdriver in.

Once I read this I tried it and that worked perfectly, thanks.

Posted: 2/1/2011 12:36:45 PM EDT

[#19]

Quoted:

Quoted:

It's there for a reason:

Fiber Expansion Joint

This.

Leave it alone. Just paint over/around/on/between/under etc.. You get the idea.

I would love to be able to leave it and forget about it but half of it was already missing and the rest was moldy and raised.

Posted: 2/1/2011 12:36:46 PM EDT

[#20]

Clean the hell out of that concrete before coating. If you think it's ready, Clean it again. No dust! Prep is everything. Use a mask. Get some really good lighting in there to see ridges and drops of paint...especially for applying clear if you are doing that.

Oh yeah...and consider just putting a baseboard over that stuff, and use all your extra time to clean the floor again (g).

Posted: 2/1/2011 12:36:55 PM EDT

[#21]

Make like a sore dick and don't fuck with it!

Just cut it flush with the slab using a chisel or sheetrock knife and then paint over it.

Its there for a reason. Some of you guys scare me.

Posted: 2/1/2011 12:37:35 PM EDT

[#22]

Posted: 2/1/2011 12:37:48 PM EDT

[#23]

Quoted:

It's there for a reason:

Fiber Expansion Joint

Yup. It's a fiber expansion joint.

It's there for a specific purpose. Removing it, and you're asking for moisture, shifting, or cracking problems. You may not like a cracking foundation.

Posted: 2/1/2011 12:38:57 PM EDT

[#24]

Quoted:
It's there for a reason:
Fiber Expansion Joint

QFT

There should be a test before one can be a homeowner.

Posted: 2/1/2011 12:39:28 PM EDT

[#25]

Quoted:
Make like a sore dick and don't fuck with it!

Just cut it flush with the slab using a chisel or sheetrock knife and then paint over it.
Its there for a reason. Some of you guys scare me.

Maybe one of those big floor scrapers you can get at Depot. Should make short work of it. Just get it as level as possible.

Posted: 2/1/2011 12:41:37 PM EDT

[#26]

Quoted:

Clean the hell out of that concrete before coating. If you think it's ready, Clean it again. No dust! Prep is everything. Use a mask. Get some really good lighting in there to see ridges and drops of paint...especially for applying clear if you are doing that.

Oh yeah...and consider just putting a baseboard over that stuff, and use all your extra time to clean the floor again (g).

Yeah I will, I've already hosed it out very well then mopped it with bleach and dish soap. Next I'm going to use bleach and water and a bristle brusha nd go over the whole floor then especially letting the bleach soak on the oil and grime stains. And then I'm filling all of the crack with concrete repair caulking and painting.

Posted: 2/1/2011 12:45:05 PM EDT

[#27]

Quoted:

Quoted:
Clean the hell out of that concrete before coating. If you think it's ready, Clean it again. No dust! Prep is everything. Use a mask. Get some really good lighting in there to see ridges and drops of paint...especially for applying clear if you are doing that.

Oh yeah...and consider just putting a baseboard over that stuff, and use all your extra time to clean the floor again (g).

Yeah I will, I've already hosed it out very well then mopped it with bleach and dish soap. Next I'm going to use bleach and water and a bristle brusha nd go over the whole floor then especially letting the bleach soak on the oil and grime stains. And then I'm filling all of the crack with concrete repair caulking and painting.

You would be better off painting first and caulking after. I don't know if the caulk will remain flexible with that type of finish over it and it may just crack and fail.

Posted: 2/1/2011 12:45:57 PM EDT

[#28]

Quoted:

Quoted:

Clean the hell out of that concrete before coating. If you think it's ready, Clean it again. No dust! Prep is everything. Use a mask. Get some really good lighting in there to see ridges and drops of paint...especially for applying clear if you are doing that.

Oh yeah...and consider just putting a baseboard over that stuff, and use all your extra time to clean the floor again (g).

Yeah I will, I've already hosed it out very well then mopped it with bleach and dish soap. Next I'm going to use bleach and water and a bristle brusha nd go over the whole floor then especially letting the bleach soak on the oil and grime stains. And then I'm filling all of the crack with concrete repair caulking and painting.

Try some muriatic acid diluted in water. That will etch the concrete so that your epoxy sticks really well.

If you are scared of that TSP works really well too.

Posted: 2/1/2011 12:52:12 PM EDT

[#29]

Quoted:

Quoted:

Clean the hell out of that concrete before coating. If you think it's ready, Clean it again. No dust! Prep is everything. Use a mask. Get some really good lighting in there to see ridges and drops of paint...especially for applying clear if you are doing that.

Oh yeah...and consider just putting a baseboard over that stuff, and use all your extra time to clean the floor again (g).

Yeah I will, I've already hosed it out very well then mopped it with bleach and dish soap. Next I'm going to use bleach and water and a bristle brusha nd go over the whole floor then especially letting the bleach soak on the oil and grime stains. And then I'm filling all of the crack with concrete repair caulking and painting.

Try some muriatic acid diluted in water. That will etch the concrete so that your epoxy sticks really well.

If you are scared of that TSP works really well too.

You know I've heard that before about the muriatic acid and water.

Can't you buy that anywhere in pool supplies?

Posted: 2/1/2011 1:11:51 PM EDT

[#30]

You need to sharpen a chisel, or get a wide wood chisel that is already sharp. You want to cut it just below the floor line, not remove it.
Your floor needs to be etched to make the epoxy adhere properly. Prep is everything. I epoxied my garage several years ago.
Washing and spot removal, then etching, neutralizing, damp mopping, then drying. A two car garage took several days due to humidity.
You might not have that problem in Arizona.

Posted: 2/1/2011 10:30:45 PM EDT

[#31]

Quoted:

You need to sharpen a chisel, or get a wide wood chisel that is already sharp. You want to cut it just below the floor line, not remove it.

Your floor needs to be etched to make the epoxy adhere properly. Prep is everything. I epoxied my garage several years ago.

Washing and spot removal, then etching, neutralizing, damp mopping, then drying. A two car garage took several days due to humidity.

You might not have that problem in Arizona.

http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z64/chadwimc/garage7.jpg

Did you use primer? if so what kind? And on the left wall you have that board that holds your tools with hooks, whats that called? and where did you get it?

Posted: 2/1/2011 11:46:43 PM EDT

[#32]

Quoted:

Quoted:
You need to sharpen a chisel, or get a wide wood chisel that is already sharp. You want to cut it just below the floor line, not remove it.
Your floor needs to be etched to make the epoxy adhere properly. Prep is everything. I epoxied my garage several years ago.
Washing and spot removal, then etching, neutralizing, damp mopping, then drying. A two car garage took several days due to humidity.
You might not have that problem in Arizona.

http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z64/chadwimc/garage7.jpg

Did you use primer? if so what kind? And on the left wall you have that board that holds your tools with hooks, what's that called? and where did you get it?

No primer. I've done several floors. Never used primer. Two part epoxy from Bahre(Bayer?).
The epoxy people make a filler product for large cracks and gaps. That might work better than caulk.
The walls are covered with "slatwall". Commercial stores use it. I covered two walls with it. The hooks and hangers came from Ebay.
I got the slatwall from a contractor friend.
I had to cut the 4 X 8 pieces in half to hang it by myself. It is HEAVY.
The bottom is bead and groove paneling cut in three pieces to resemble wainscoting.
Home centers carry something similar to slatwall, but it is expensive. I see slatwall on Criagslist from time to time.
Usually from demolition or store remodeling jobs.

Posted: 2/2/2011 5:30:55 AM EDT

[#33]

Quoted:

Quoted:

You need to sharpen a chisel, or get a wide wood chisel that is already sharp. You want to cut it just below the floor line, not remove it.

Your floor needs to be etched to make the epoxy adhere properly. Prep is everything. I epoxied my garage several years ago.

Washing and spot removal, then etching, neutralizing, damp mopping, then drying. A two car garage took several days due to humidity.

You might not have that problem in Arizona.

http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z64/chadwimc/garage7.jpg

Did you use primer? if so what kind? And on the left wall you have that board that holds your tools with hooks, what's that called? and where did you get it?

No primer. I've done several floors. Never used primer. Two part epoxy from Bahre(Bayer?).

The epoxy people make a filler product for large cracks and gaps. That might work better than caulk.

The walls are covered with "slatwall". Commercial stores use it. I covered two walls with it. The hooks and hangers came from Ebay.

I got the slatwall from a contractor friend.

I had to cut the 4 X 8 pieces in half to hang it by myself. It is HEAVY.

The bottom is bead and groove paneling cut in three pieces to resemble wainscoting.

Home centers carry something similar to slatwall, but it is expensive. I see slatwall on Criagslist from time to time.

Usually from demolition or store remodeling jobs.

Did you paint over the edges where your joint compound was?

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Anyone know how to remove this stuff? (Home repair question)

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