What's the best way to remove old carpet padding that's stuck to a wood floor?

Question

We've pulled the carpet and most of the pad off of our wood floor, but have a nasty mess left behind. I think moisture may have seeped through and made the carpet pad stick to the floor. We've let it air for over 24 hours, with fans blowing, and nothing short of a putty scraper takes this stuff off. I don't want to scratch the floor, and it's not much fun working with that scraper! The carpet had been there since probably the 70's, we bought an older house. Any ideas would be appreciated!

Answer 1

Let me just state at the onset that this is going to require elbow grease and require a scraper which may scratch the floor but sanding will remove the scratches.  There is a product sold in Home Depot that I found worked extremely well and happened to be on sale there.  Zep adhesive remover in an aerosol can worked great.   I used it when a contractor buddy of mine needed the adhesive removed in order to allow the floor refinishing the follow day.  If you use this product make sure to buy several cans.  I believe we went through four cans over an area of approx. 200s/f but this product works so good I bought every can off the shelf.

Answer 2

We had a house that was 100 yrs old. It had carpet over wood too. Same issue... OLD pad stuck to floor. If you go to Home Depot (my favorite place) there is a solvent for the padding that will not harm the wood.  It actually put a deep color back into the dried out wood. You put it on the floor then use a plastic scraper to remove... it will come up much easier than when its dry. Also, I think "Orange Glo" has a product that will work too.

Answer 3

The scraper is probably the only way...I would call a carpet sells and ask them......they should give you an honest answer....Or try a small spot with warm water......

Answer 4

If you are planning to refinish the floors then just use a flat hoe and scrape it up. I did that in my house and the carpet there was put down in the 50's. If it has left stains on the floor then you are going to have to sand them. It takes a lot to get those marks out. In my house this has been the worst part.

Answer 5

Try Mineral Spirits