Can you suggest budget-friendly waterproof flooring for a 400 sqft basement with glue on the concrete that leads out to a pool?
Asked by Johanne Poulsen 
8 months ago
Last Updated: April 24, 2024
We’re thinking of putting waterproof flooring in this basement since it leads out to a pool, but there’s glue on the concrete. We’re trying to keep costs down and the space is around 400 sq/ft. Any suggestions?
Try renting a hammer drill with a scraper blade. I recently did this and it was a breeze. Really quick and effective
We recently dealt with a very similar scenario. We opted for an older belt sander and a vacuum to clean up. It was quite dusty, but it got the job done.
Oh yeah, this technique can get pretty dusty!
If you don’t own one, consider borrowing a hammer drill to use with a scraping blade.
Tile the floor. I got this wood look tile for $125 in this bathroom. I’m so happy with it! It’s the most affordable tile I’ve used in all three of my bathroom renovations and I really like it.
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To speed up the process, cover it with a shopvac connected to a 6 inch or 7 inch grinder.
Coat the floor lightly with a skim. They call it encapsulation. The majority of flooring manufacturers recommend using this method instead of removing old glue. No need to exhaust yourself scraping for hours.
Have you considered using concrete for skim coating? Will it stick to glue/mastic?
Check out Ardex or Henry’s feather patch for . You can find it at Lowe’s and Home Depot. Just make sure to get a smooth finish
For easier scraping, try using a long-handled 6″ razor scraper at a sweeping angle.
When you rent a surface grinder from the depot, make sure to spray the floor with water to minimize dust.
If necessary, lay a vinyl floating floor on top… You can use floor leveler if necessary.
Try using a 4 inch scraper instead of the one that is currently too large. Remember to switch out the blade regularly.
Make sure to keep scraping and flipping the scraper as you work.
If someone claims that floating vinyl or luxury vinyl is not waterproof, they clearly lack understanding on the topic.
Did you know there are vinyl floating floors that are completely waterproof and suitable for bathroom installations?
Just wet it down and scrap off small sections at a time.
Concrete is actually quite waterproof.
We’re basically doing the same thing here by removing glue. Just grab some goof off and let it work its magic… it needs at least 20 minutes to set. I like to cover it with a plastic sheet to keep it activated. The longer you wait, the easier it’ll be. Also, make sure to have extra sharp blades on hand, they make a big difference. Scrape off the glue and then immediately scrub with a stiff brush and hot water. Ardex won’t adhere to the residue, and if you try to tile over it, you’ll have issues. I confirmed this with the supplier about this product.