tar removal?

MunkyHed

We've lifted an old carpet in our halway and older tiles under that. decided we want good tiles. We rang a good tiler so he came and took a look at our floor.
The tiler decided he wouldnt touch the floor because there is a layer of black tar like stuff called bitumen on top of the concrete base. The tiler says that if he layed the tiles on this stuff that eventually they would rise and it just wouldnt work!

Removing the tar is proving to be the biggest pain ever, tried a blowtorch- didnt work, tried white spirits- didnt work, tried angle grinder, didnt work.
Anyone had this problem? Besides actually getting the kango hammer out, how do ya get rid of this stuff!!!!!

Victor

I would be really worried about removing it. Bitumen asphalt is used for two things, road surfaces and waterproofing roofs and basements. To a very large degree it's one of those things designed not to come off. For roads they use cutters with industrial diamonds, not sure if you can get one on a domestic scale.

If you want to tiles over it, and if you have the space, you could fit(how?) plywood and tile on top.

How old and what type is the house?

Jaden

A Layer of polythene would do instead of plywood. It won't let the tar through, and adds virtually no height to the tiles laid on it.

MunkyHed

The plywood idea is a no-go, the tiler said it would eventually rot and raise the tiles.
The polythene is a good idea jaden. The house was built in the late seventies, Its a 2 story semi detatched, part of a street with 6 identical houses.
The tiler has been let go as he has shown up twice stinking of drink giving out about the bitumen so we've decided to go with a wooden floor! easy as that!
Thanks anyway!