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Painting & Decorating

Black bitumen floor

Anonymous user 28/02/2024 - 4.02 PM

Hi. We live in a very old house and we have removed the living room carpet after have some damp work done. Under the carpet is a black bitumen floor. Our ultimate goal is to have it tiled with quarry tiles to match what is in the dining room. However it's going to take a while to get the tiles we need. The black bitumen floor is messy as it is covered in paint splatter from previous owners. In the meantime we would like to paint it so it's not so ugly and put a couple of big rugs down. Is it ok to paint the bitumen directly? I've googled it and it's not very easy to find an answer to. If it is ok is there a recommended paint? Sorry if this is a silly question! Thanks in advance. EDIT: The house was built in the late 1500's so I expect the floor covering is a much later addition.

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4 Answers

BB SERVICES

Rating: 5 out of 5
Hayle
I wouldn’t paint the floor if your Going to tile it, it would be better to apply a levelling compound as that makes a good surface to tile on . Tile adhesive doesn’t stick very well to paint
Answered20 November 2021
2

Rees Decorating

Rating: 4.9 out of 5
Frodsham
The "Black Bitumen" floor under your carpet sounds like an Asphalt floor membrane (dampproof membrane) depending on the age of the property it could be original or a later addition. so long as you ensure the floor is clean and free of debris you can use any reputable floor paint to brighten the place up and it won't impact on the floor at all.
Answered15 November 2021
1

Anonymous user

In my experience,if it is bitumen,it needs to be sealed or it will bleed through whatever product you place on it
Answered15 November 2021
1

M.F.E Decorating

Rating: 5 out of 5
Stalybridge
An acrylic based floor paint (water based) is best, solvent paint will react on bitumen
Answered20 November 2021
1