Preparation for rubber mats - advice please

[Marigold4]

I have taken up my old stinky, curling rubber mats and have a professional coming to fit new ones. The floor needs to be free of the old glue that we put down to keep the old mats in place. I have spent HOURS this weekend scraping the glue off the stable's concrete floor. Horrible job and my back and neck are knackered. The last bit of glue is proving very hard to remove. Any tips for getting rid of this? Is there anything I can use to dissolve it? In desperation, I was thinking of hiring some kind of machine that would grind off the top layer of concrete. The glue has to go, otherwise the new mats won't stick properly, I'm told.

 

[Beausmate]

What type of glue did you use, as that will affect the removal method. Have you tried heating it up?

 

[Glitterandrainbows]

Thick oil gets glue out of hair extensions if u have a hair extension market shop they sell glue dissolver x

 

[Marigold4]

What type of glue did you use, as that will affect the removal method. Have you tried heating it up?

Thanks for replying. I have a paint stripper gun so will try heating up the glue tonight!

 

[Marigold4]

Thick oil gets glue out of hair extensions if u have a hair extension market shop they sell glue dissolver x

Thanks for replying. I'm going to buy some acetone and see if that works - but it is pretty expensive so don't think I can do the whole floor with it

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Would sanding it maybe get it off?

 

[Beausmate]

Thanks for replying. I'm going to buy some acetone and see if that works - but it is pretty expensive so don't think I can do the whole floor with it

Cheapy nail varnish remover.

 

[Beausmate]

I'd start by going at it with a heat gun and scraper.

 

[Marigold4]

Would sanding it maybe get it off?

I did think sanding but the concrete has undulations in it, so I don't think it would work. I have an attachment for an electric drill with a wire brush that might work?

 

[sport horse]

I am gradually getting rid of all my rubber mats . However they are laid they will curl up at the edges eventually. The beds are wetter as concrete does at least absorb some of the moisture. Once they are well used they are very slippery and nthing seems to stop that. Bye Bye mats for ever!

 

[Xmasha]

Have a look at this product : Watco etch & clean. Not cheap bit does clean and take the first layer off.

 

[Marigold4]

I am gradually getting rid of all my rubber mats . However they are laid they will curl up at the edges eventually. The beds are wetter as concrete does at least absorb some of the moisture. Once they are well used they are very slippery and nthing seems to stop that. Bye Bye mats for ever!

What do you use instead of mats though? I find no matter how deep I make the bed, the horses still rub their hocks on the concrete. I think I save quite a lot of money and effort with rubber mats. The mats in one stable are still well sealed and stuck down, no idea why this other one didn't work. Scraping off the glue is a very miserable task! I wish they made rubber mats in one piece - like carpet. You could then buy a roll, cut to size, use screws with rubber caps to fix, seal edges and job's a good 'un. Most of the problems seem to be from having to lay several and then join them.

 

[Fieldlife]

What do you use instead of mats though? I find no matter how deep I make the bed, the horses still rub their hocks on the concrete. I think I save quite a lot of money and effort with rubber mats. The mats in one stable are still well sealed and stuck down, no idea why this other one didn't work. Scraping off the glue is a very miserable task! I wish they made rubber mats in one piece - like carpet. You could then buy a roll, cut to size, use screws with rubber caps to fix, seal edges and job's a good 'un. Most of the problems seem to be from having to lay several and then join them.

there is a type of setting liquid rubber that you can use that would get round this?

 

[PurBee]

As an alternative to the issues mats bring - you could consider a rubber crumb poured floor. It could be laid as thick as you want it. Its insulative, rubbery and grippy, cushioning for hocks etc. if the surface ever got spoilt from uric acid in pee after years of use, all youd need to do is add another 5mm topping on top.

I looked at doing this for my yard, but the suppliers in ireland were few back then, so finding the materials was tricky to DIY….to save on install cost. The uk likely has vastly more suppliers of rubber crumb in 1 tonne bags and the resin glue 20kg buckets to mix it with.

 

[PurBee]

there is a type of setting liquid rubber that you can use that would get round this?

There’s some ‘rubber poured floors’ that are quite thin and used often in agri milk parlours etc. I’ve noticed some youtube videos of this type of flooring making its way to the equine industry in stables for non slip flooring. But the usual depth of the rubber pour is mere mm and not thick and cushioned like crumb or mats. The depth would need to be checked with company employed. Most rubber pour companies likely do rubber crumb flooring too anyway.

 

[Marigold4]

I like the idea of the liquid rubber but think it will be a devil to take up if it goes wrong, and there doesn't seem to be anyone professional laying it for stables anymore. Quattro don't seem to be in business any more?

Tried various things today and nail varnish seems to be the most effective. I've just order 2 litres!

 

[KatieDM]

You could also look into a product called ‘LTP Solvex’, which is used to get rid of epoxy residue and old sealant on tiled/stone floors. Just thought it could work well for this if you get stuck (no pun intended!)

 

[Marigold4]

You could also look into a product called ‘LTP Solvex’, which is used to get rid of epoxy residue and old sealant on tiled/stone floors. Just thought it could work well for this if you get stuck (no pun intended!)

Thank you. That sounds just the job. I've got acetone coming today and if that doesn't work, I'll try that next.