Removing carpet gunk from floorboards

[badhorsey]

Hi, I've just recently taken up some old (30+ years) carpets in my home, and the black rubber / rubberish backing to the carpets has largely stayed behind on the floorboards.

I've managed to remove some by dint of going at it with a chisel - this works but is extremely laborious.

Is there a better approach to this? A solvent that I could use?

Thanks!

[4candles]

A solvent!? Wouldn't that produce an even 'gunkier' mess?

I'd suggest instead of a chisel a wide-bladed scraper, as used for removing wallpaper.

[foxyferret]

I used WD40 or a cheaper brand of this but mine was stuck to vinyl flooring. Stank the room out but it worked.

[rowanwitch]

A heavy duty long handled wallpaper stripper. a stiff wire brush and patience

[heathfield]

Tip. Wherever you are about to use a wallpaper stripper, use a file or grinder to put a sharp knife-edge on it first, and keep it sharp. You'll find it makes a huge difference.

[AlBags]

Non floorboards it wont. A sharp blade will damage the surface.

You want a thick wide scraper!

[carrust]

I'd try a steam stripper on it...you never know it might work.

[heathfield]

A wallpaper stripper will be fine on floorboards, Al. When you keep the sharpened blade vertical, it becomes a scraper. Sorry, Horsey, I ommitted to mention this.

[heathfield]

Tut! ^'omitted'. All thumbs today!