Hi all,

Have just lifted some very thin vinyl (i think) tiles from a kitchen floor, and there is what looks like a bitumen based covering left on my concrete floor. It may not be bitumen but is black and very hard to remove. It has been applied as a complete coverage not just dot and dabbed so is the original adhesive.

Could i get some advice as to whether this would be safe to tile straight over, or maybe with an abp; or whether i would need tile backer board first please? I will be putting a ceramic tile down. Thanks all.

Rich

Best to remove as much as you can..

I would remove for my own peace of mind

It will also give your arms a workout when using that scraper

The black residue sounds like ATA ( asphalt tile adhesive). as Dave says best to remove, a heat gun may help and a good scraper. Good luck

Alway better to go back to the screed. Id scrap up as much as you possible can, it wont be fun but much better to be safe rather than sorry.

A wire brush helps as well.. or one of the wire brush attachments for your drill/grinder.

as above

better off than sorry

as above , remove