Raised Access Floor Cleaning, Adhesive & Tackifier Removal.
Restore. Don't replace. Save up to 70%.
Whether you need raised access floor cleaning after carpet uplift, adhesive and tackifier removal ahead of a new installation, or full RAF panel restoration for a CAT A or CAT B fit-out, Detac Systems provide a fast, solvent-free service across Brighton, London and the South East.
What Is Raised Access Floor Cleaning?
It is the process of lifting heavy carpet tile adhesive, tackifier, and surface grime from existing raised access floor panels so they can be reused rather than ripped out and replaced.
This is standard prep work required after carpet uplift during office refurbishments, Cat A and Cat B fit-outs, dilapidations, and commercial handovers.
Why It Makes Commercial Sense
Save up to 70% compared to buying and installing new panels.
Avoid massive delays to your fit-out programme.
Slash skip hire and heavy waste disposal costs.
Extend the lifespan of the existing floor by 10+ years.
Leave a perfectly prepped sub-floor ready for the new carpet layers.
Where We Work
Cat A and Cat B office refurbishments
End-of-tenancy strip-outs and dilapidations
Commercial fit-out projects
Carpet tile uplift and replacement
Our 6-Step Restoration Process
We don’t just scrape and run. We prep the floor properly for the next trades on site.
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We assess the panel condition and the depth of the adhesive build-up. Where required, we carry out a test clean to spec the exact chemicals needed for the job.
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We know commercial sites require strict health and safety controls. We protect surrounding areas and contain our workspace to minimise dust and disruption for other contractors.
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We put down a specialist, solvent-free solution to break down the old tackifier and glue. We leave it to dwell and do the heavy lifting.
4. Safe Residue Removal Once the glue is softened, we lift it off cleanly without gouging or damaging the integrity of the metal encapsulated panels. No aggressive scraping.
5. Machine Degreasing The floor gets a full machine buff and degrease to pull up any stubborn residue, leaving a clean, uniform finish.
6. Quality Inspection & Handover We do a final walk-around to ensure the floor is 100% prepped and snag-free, leaving it ready for your flooring contractors to get straight to work.
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Once the glue is softened, we lift it off cleanly without gouging or damaging the integrity of the metal encapsulated panels. No aggressive scraping.
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The floor gets a full machine buff and degrease to pull up any stubborn residue, leaving a clean, uniform finish.
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6. Quality Inspection & Handover We do a final walk-around to ensure the floor is 100% prepped and snag-free, leaving it ready for your flooring contractors to get straight to work.
Safe, Clean & Compliant
We know that tight programmes mean multiple trades working on top of each other. Our adhesive removal methods use safe, solvent-free breakdown solutions. That means no harsh chemical fumes clearing out the building, no massive dust clouds, and thousands of heavy floor panels kept out of the landfill.
Environments We Restore
We are trusted to operate in high-stakes commercial environments across London and the South East:
Corporate Office Headquarters
Server Rooms & Data Centres
High-Street Retail Units
Local Authority & Education Buildings
End-of-Lease Dilapidations
All heavy adhesive and tackifier removed.
Panels fully prepped for new flooring.
A massively reduced need for costly replacement panels. (Note: Final visual finish will always vary depending on the age of the panel, the original coating, and how severe the adhesive build-up was to begin with).
Common Issues with Raised Access FloorsThe Results You Can Expect:Raised access floors take a beating. We regularly tackle floors with multiple layers of glue from decades of previous installations, heavy tackifier build-ups, and uneven surface contamination after carpet uplift.
Because every floor is different, our methods adapt to the condition of your panels.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can raised access floors be cleaned instead of replaced?
Yes, in most cases raised access floors can be cleaned and restored instead of replaced. Adhesive, tackifier and surface build-up can be removed to leave panels clean and ready for reuse, often saving up to 70% compared to full replacement.
2. What is raised access floor cleaning?
Raised access floor cleaning is the process of removing adhesive, tackifier and surface contamination from floor panels, typically after carpet tile removal or refurbishments, to prepare them for reuse or handover.
3. What types of adhesive can be removed?
We remove a wide range of adhesives including tackifier, carpet tile glue, tape residue and built-up surface contamination from previous installations.
4. Will cleaning damage the floor panels?
When done correctly using the right methods, the process is designed to restore the surface without losing integrity of the panels and with minimal scuffs. Results can vary depending on the condition of the floor and coatings.
5. When should raised access floor cleaning be carried out?
It is typically carried out towards the end of a refurbishment or fit-out, just before new flooring is installed or before final handover.
6. What condition will the floor be left in?
The goal is a clean, consistent finish suitable for reuse, new flooring installation or handover. Final appearance depends on the starting condition of the panels.
7. Do you remove carpet or flooring materials?
No - carpet, tiles or bonded materials should be removed before cleaning. We focus on adhesive and surface residue removal only.
8. How long does the process take?
This depends on the size of the area and the level of adhesive build-up. Larger commercial spaces are typically completed in sections over several days.
9. Is the cleaning process safe for commercial environments?
Yes - solvent-free methods can be used, with no strong chemical odours, making the process suitable for commercial environments and ongoing projects.
10. What types of projects do you support?
We support office refurbishments, CAT A and CAT B fit-outs, landlord handovers, end-of-tenancy works and commercial property transitions.
11. Why is it important to clean raised access floors?
Dirt, adhesive residue (like tackifier), and dust buildup can cause tiles to stick, shift, or degrade over time. Professional cleaning extends the life of your flooring, improves air quality, and maintains a clean, safe environment for staff or tenants.
12. What is tackifier, and how do you remove it?
Tackifier is a sticky adhesive used under floor tiles to prevent movement. Over time it can become messy, lose effectiveness, or make tiles difficult to lift. We use an industrial-grade water-based detackifier solution that safely lifts residue without damaging tiles or subfloor materials.
13. How often should raised access floors be cleaned?
For most office and commercial spaces, we recommend: Light cleaning: When required, before handovers. Deep detackifier removal: Every few years...