Taking Up Ceramic Tile Floor

Removing ceramic floor tile is tedious and rigorous especially if you are planning on reusing them.

Taking up ceramic tile floor.

In some cases the only way to tear out the ceramic tile is with heavy equipment such as a jackhammer or air chisel. Taking your time with this project will ensure you finish with a beautiful tile free floor. If the tiles you re removing were set in mastic and not mortar you re lucky a floor scraper will do the job. Trowel to apply a 1 8 in.

Thin set holds ceramic tiles better than mastic and is easier to work with. Break up the first tile with a hammer. Always wear safety glasses when removing ceramic tile. Removing tile from your floor can be done with a few tools and dedicated time.

If tile is wall to wall it may be necessary to use a hammer and chisel to break out a tile to create a starting point for prying up tiles. Then use the flat side of a 12 in. By positioning a chisel under a tile you ll be able to loosen each one and remove the floor. If you re installing new tile use the same latex thin set to set the tile.

This time we show you the do s and don ts in floor removal plus learn some important installation tips from the mistakes the last installer made. Remove ceramic tile from plywood. This is to fill in voids and level around remaining bits of adhesive. Removing ceramic tiles the easy way using a demolition hammer easy to use and reasonable rental rates make this tool a life saver during light demo work li.

If it s a mortar bed. Salvaging ceramic tiles is never guaranteed as they can break easily. Hit the tile in the center with a hammer. It should come up fairly easily.

Use a ball peen or masonry hammer and cold chisel to tap the pieces free. Layer of latex thin set mortar over the floor. How to remove tile. If the tile is stuck to plywood the strategy is a little different.

Then use a big flatbar or similar demolition tool to pry up chunks of mortar and tile. However you can usually remove ceramic floor tiles without breaking them as long as you are very careful and use the proper materials. Chisel down through the bed to the tar paper.