Tile Flooring Removal Tips

Removing tile flooring is a messy, time-consuming project. To help contain the dust that it generates, cover floor surfaces with plastic sheeting.

Start at a bare spot or in a doorway, using a flat pry bar and a hammer to lift tiles from the plywood underlayment. This should be relatively easy, although some pieces may break.

Start at the Right Place

The process of removing tile can be extremely dusty. For this reason, it is a good idea to remove fixtures such as toilets, stand-alone porcelain sinks, and bathtubs that can’t be relocated before beginning the job. You will also want to close off any vents in the room, and cover them with heavy-duty plastic construction sheeting to prevent airborne dust from circulating throughout the rest of your home.

During tile flooring removal, you will be working with heavy-duty tools such as a pry bar and a hammer or chisel. For this reason, you should wear a pair of safety glasses to protect your eyes from flying debris, and a respirator mask to reduce exposure to the dust. Once you’ve broken the first few tiles loose, you can switch to a long-handled floor scraper or an air hammer with a chisel set to speed up the process and reduce the amount of effort required to lift individual tiles.

Break Up the Tiles

Before you begin removing your tile flooring, get all of your tools ready. A long-handled floor scraper and an air hammer with a chisel set are both essential tools to make the job go more quickly and smoothly, but you’ll also want some other hand tools like a pry bar and a chisel for hard-to-reach areas.

A hammer drill with a chisel attachment is also worth investing in, as it’ll save you time by breaking up the tile and loosening it from its backer board. You’ll also want a sturdy pair of work gloves, a face mask to prevent inhaling dust, and protective eyewear to avoid cuts or lacerations.

If you hire a professional, site prep fees are included in the estimate, which may include plastic sheets to protect surfaces going to and from the workspace and fans to keep the area as cool as possible while you work. Clear away any debris and dirt from the underlayment and subfloor that you can, depositing it in a bucket as you go.

Remove the Adhesive

When tile adhesive dries, it becomes like concrete and is extremely difficult to remove with a hammer and chisel. If you’re redoing your flooring or even just a few tiles, it’s essential that the old adhesive is removed completely to ensure a smooth, level surface for your new tile installation.

To start with, you’ll need a few supplies and some preparation. Since this is a messy job, it’s important to cover the floor with plastic sheeting and close off any doors or windows to limit dust production. Likewise, wearing a respirator, goggles and gloves is also a good idea to keep yourself protected.

Next, dampen a couple of cloths and leave them over the section you’re working on to soften up any existing mastic or thin-set adhesive. Alternatively, you could try a chemical solvent designed specifically for this purpose. After allowing the solvent to sit for the recommended amount of time, use your scraper to work up the loosened material and throw it in a bucket.

Clean Up

The tile removal process creates a lot of dust that you don’t want to breathe. Be sure to wear a mask, a pair of gloves, and safety goggles during the entire project. It’s also a good idea to close off any doors leading to the room you’re working in and cover any vents inside that room to prevent dust from spreading throughout your home or business.

If you’re working on a kitchen, bathroom, or any other space where fixtures like sinks, toilets, and mirrors can’t be moved, be sure to cover them with heavy-duty plastic construction sheeting secured with tape to keep them from getting covered in dust. This will also protect them from sharp tile shards and hammers.

Before you start working, make sure you’re armed with the proper tools for the job, including a paint scraper, floor scraper, and chisel. It’s also a good idea for you to clear off your workspace of furniture, and be sure to seal off any vents that are in the room you’re working in to avoid letting dust travel through the rest of the building.

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