Reclaimed parquet

[AJB Temple]

Mrs AJB T has found about 22 square metres of oak 22mm thick T&G parquet for free, which we picked up yesterday and stacked in an outbuilding today. Bizarrely this was in a house in our lane and had been on FB market place for weeks, several buyers having turned it down for being too thick or failed to turn up to buy it. Hence it was destined for a skip this weekend :-(

It was apparently laid in the early 1980s and for most of that time it has been under a carpet. It's rather scratched, but not worn. I'm not entirely sure what we will do with it, but gift horse / mouth etc....

It was laid on tar. There are obviously hundreds and hundreds of blocks with a solid black tar base. I'm wondering how to deal with this. Any ideas guys?

It's either going to go (if useable) into a large bedroom (along with some ex church reclaimed pitch pine to make a raised 4 poster dias) or into a yet to be built downstairs double loo and overflow cellar store. I'm wondering if I can just ignore the tar and re-lay it on a fresh base of something, then sand the top with a floor finisher, or whether I need to clean it all off (daunting ? ).

Can I blow torch the backs to clean / smooth it? I think it would seriously FU my PT.

 

[Distinterior]

If I remember correctly, there was a thread over on the "other place" where someone also acquired/was laying some pre-laid parquet flooring.
Perhaps have a search for that thread and it may offer some useful information...?

 

[Cabinetman]

I certainly wouldn’t try to remove the tar with a blow torch! Your lungs wouldn’t thank you. It can be brittle but it’s a Hell of a job chipping it all off.
Yes I remember that thread, but sorry can’t remember what he did,

 

[jimhanna]

You've probably had the same reply as me to an AI query, unlike some AI responses nothing seems obviously wrong or impractical.

AI Overview

To remove tar from wooden surfaces, freeze it with ice, gently scrape with a plastic tool, and dissolve any leftover residue using mineral spirits or WD-40.

Step-by-Step Removal

• • Freeze the tar: Place ice cubes in a plastic bag over the tar for a few minutes until it gets hard and brittle.
  • Scrape gently: Use a plastic scraper, spatula, or popsicle stick to pop off the hardened chunks. Never use a metal knife or sharp blade that can gouge the wood.
  • Dissolve the residue: Dab a small amount of WD-40 or mineral spirits onto a clean cloth and rub the stain gently in a circular motion.
  • Clean and dry: Wipe the area clean with a damp cloth and mild soap, then dry the wood completely. Avoid heavy sanding, as friction heat can melt the tar and ruin your sandpaper.

 

[Lons]

I aquired around 10 M2 of oak parquet around 25 years ago each piece around 12" x 3" by 1" thick though not T&G, had been laid on tar in an old Victorian house. After letting it sit for 3 years (told my missus it was seasoning ) I put it through the bandsaw and cut 3 mm plus the tar off then ran a groove all around each piece and laid it with loose tongues. We had it down for years until removal due to some remodelling.

 

[Cabinetman]

I aquired around 10 M2 of oak parquet around 25 years ago each piece around 12" x 3" by 1" thick though not T&G, had been laid on tar in an old Victorian house. After letting it sit for 3 years (told my missus it was seasoning ) I put it through the bandsaw and cut 3 mm plus the tar off then ran a groove all around each piece and laid it with loose tongues. We had it down for years until removal due to some remodelling.

Now this is a sensible solution!