How to Clean Old Carpet Adhesive Off Brick

The combination of carpet adhesive and brick can be a tricky one, as the grooves in brick make it more difficult to get to the mess. The rougher your brick is, the more difficult this task may become, but with just a little bit of elbow grease you should be happy with these results.

• Lightning Strip
• Paint scraper
• Stiff bristle brush
• Water
• TSP

1. Shake the can of Lightning Strip well before the first use.
2. Spray Lightning Strip directly onto the brick to be cleaned. Keep applying it until the surface appears to be wet and is no longer absorbing the stripper.
3. Wait 10 minutes.
4. Spray the area again.
5. Wait several minutes to several hours, periodically testing with the paint scraper to see if carpet adhesive has softened. Do NOT allow the stripper to dry out. Reapply more as needed.
6. Once the adhesive is soft, begin working on the mess with a stiff bristled brush.
7. Reapply Lightning Strip as necessary. Deep grooves in the brick or thick adhesive residue may require reapplication.
8. Once the adhesive is gone, rinse and neutralize the area with clean water.
9. If needed, apply a solution of 6 cups of TSP (sold in hardware stores) to one gallon of hot water. Apply the mixture to the area and scrub with the brush to remove any remaining residue.
10. Rinse thoroughly and allow the area to dry.

• Lightning Strip is safe and effective for removing old adhesive from brick surfaces. Although safer than other strippers, be sure to work with proper ventilation. Always wear eye and skin protection as indicated.
• You will need wide-mouth pliers to open the can.
• Before you begin, protect areas that could be damaged by the stripper. These include surrounding linoleum, tile, asphalt, aluminum, rubber and plastic. The stripper will not harm wood, metal, or glass.
• Do not walk on the treated area while the stripper is working. It can be extremely slippery.
• Do not use in direct sunlight or high winds. The stripper works best between 45 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit, but will work as long as temperatures are above freezing.