Your Crucial Guide to Tile Floor Removal: How to Do it Right

Removing old and worn-out tiles can be a time-consuming deal, but if you’re more than ready to do it (and have the proper knowledge and tools at your disposal), you may be able to handle it without too much hassle. The point is to be fully prepared for the project and ensure that you have enough time to do it yourself. You may also want to remember that more often than not, the project can reveal particular problems (such as water damage, resulting in mold), and you would have to deal with these problems as you go along as well. So, if you want to do it right, here’s your crucial guide to tile floor removal.

Remove any fittings or fixtures

Before you start, you need to remove fittings or fixtures in the room that may obstruct your tile removal project. It’s also essential to turn off your supply of water before you remove any toilet or sink. If you have to remove a toilet, make sure to drain the tank’s reservoir and remove the bolt. Once you do this, you should rock the toilet fixture to break the seal holding it down.

Establish an area where you can start

If you have had the tiling installed surrounding a semi-permanent fitting or fixture, such as a vanity or kitchen sink, this will often have an exposed bare edge so that you can have this as your starting point. For tiling that’s installed wall-to-wall, you may have to make use of a chisel and hammer to break off a specific tile as your starting point. Another aspect to remember is that your tiles may have been fixed using mortar or adhesive, and they may (or may not) come out with ease, depending on the kind of adhesive the installer used and how they fixed it. Aside from a chisel and hammer, you can also use a pole scraper or pry bar.

Stay neat and organized

Once you’ve started, you should stay as neat and organized as possible. Place the tiles you’ve already removed into a bucket or trash can so you don’t clutter the area, as recommended by experienced floor removal companies like Evergreen. Keep in mind that tiles may be pretty heavy and bulky, so try not to fill the bucket or trash can to the brim because it can be difficult for you to remove it from the area once it’s filled.

Deal with the underlayment

You should also keep in mind that in some situations, the installer may have attached the tile directly onto a sub-floor made of concrete, although mortarboard or plywood underlayments are more common. If the underlayment is damaged or no longer in good condition, make sure to remove it, although you can leave the ones in good condition and reuse them. It would also be a good idea to check the sub-floor for damage, especially if you are re-tiling a bathroom, as the room is more prone to water damage over time.

Remove all the debris

Once you have tackled all the tiles, use a vacuum or broom to remove all the debris from the area. If you have also removed the underlayment, check for any exposed nails and make sure you pound and flatten it or remove it, so the surface is flat.

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