| Floor-Tile Removal |
From "Ask DIY"
episode ADI-609 |
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Q: I need to remove some old floor-tile to install new carpet. What's the easiest way to remove it? A: (James Young, DIY home-improvement expert) You have several choices for methods of removing tiles. Some require more work than others. The best method for you will depend on your specific situation. Here are some suggestions. Safety Alert: No matter which method you choose for removing tile, it's essential to follow proper safety precautions. Always wear eye protection. Gloves and knee-pads are a good ideaas well, especially if you'll be doing the job by hand. - If you're interested in salvaging and re-using the old tile, a rotary tool is your best bet. Use the rotary tool to cut along the grout lines (figure A), cutting all the way around the individual tiles. Keep in mind that the ability to remove old tile without breaking it may depend on how it was installed, and how long it has been in place.
- Once you've cut around the grout lines, use a pry-bar to carefully pry up and remove each tile.
- If you're not interested in saving the tile, the simplest method is to simply break up the tile with a hammer, and scrape away the remains. Place a towel over the section of tile that you're removing to prevent shards from flying up. Making certain that you have eye-protection, use a small sledge-hammer to strike the tile through the towel, breaking it up into pieces.
- Use a hand-scraper to remove any remaining pieces and floor-adhesive that is left behind (figure B).
- If you have a large amount of tile to remove, and you want to save time, consider using a power-scraper (figure C). This piece of equipment is available from rental centers. The cost for rental is around $50 to $75 per day.
- This machine is makes a lot of loud noise during operation, so you may want to consider wearing ear-plugs (figure D). These are available at most home centers.
- The power-scraper has a sharp blade (figure E) that reciprocates to get underneath and break up the tile and adhesive (figure F). It's a good idea to purchase extra blades in case one breaks.
- Once you've removed the tile and adhesive, you'll likely have some gouges and dents in the floor. Use floor-leveling compound (available at home centers) to fill in the gaps to create a flat surface.
RESOURCES :
HGTV's Complete Fix-It
Author: HGTV
Ceramic Tile: Selecting, Installing, Maintaining
ISBN: 1580110479
Author: Jim Barrett and Jerry Germer
Order this title from Amazon.com.
Creative Homeowner Press
Website: www.creativehomeowner.com
Complete Tile: Installing Ceramic, Stone, Vinyl, Laminate and More
Model: 0376016787
Author: Steve Cory
(June, 2002)
To order this title from Amazon, click here.
Sunset Publishing Company (Division of Time Warner)
Website: www.sunset.com
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