Taking Up Ceramic Tile Floor

Layer of latex thin set mortar over the floor.

Taking up ceramic tile floor.

By positioning a chisel under a tile you ll be able to loosen each one and remove the floor. In some cases the only way to tear out the ceramic tile is with heavy equipment such as a jackhammer or air chisel. Then use a big flatbar or similar demolition tool to pry up chunks of mortar and tile. 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.

If the tile is stuck to plywood the strategy is a little different. Use a ball peen or masonry hammer and cold chisel to tap the pieces free. However you can usually remove ceramic floor tiles without breaking them as long as you are very careful and use the proper materials. Always wear safety glasses when removing ceramic tile.

Removing ceramic floor tile is tedious and rigorous especially if you are planning on reusing them. Trowel to apply a 1 8 in. Chisel down through the bed to the tar paper. 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.

How to remove tile. Break up the first tile with a hammer. Removing tile from your floor can be done with a few tools and dedicated time. If it s a mortar bed.

If the tiles you re removing were set in mastic and not mortar you re lucky a floor scraper will do the job. Remove ceramic tile from plywood. Taking your time with this project will ensure you finish with a beautiful tile free floor. If you re installing new tile use the same latex thin set to set the tile.

Hit the tile in the center with a hammer. Remove ceramic tile from a bed of mortar. Salvaging ceramic tiles is never guaranteed as they can break easily. This is to fill in voids and level around remaining bits of adhesive.

Tiles may be attached using adhesives or mortar and may come up easily or require great effort depending on how it was affixed and the type of underlayment used. Thin set holds ceramic tiles better than mastic and is easier to work with. Then use the flat side of a 12 in.