What is easiest method to remove glued down ceramic floor tiles?

Answer 1

I've been a tile setter for 13 years, and short of renting a compressor, the fastest and most fun way is to take a rock hammer (with a pointed end) and hit the center of each tile with the flat end of the hammer until all your tile is busted up. Hitting each tile in the center should shatter the bond between the underlayment, the glue/mastic, the tile, and the grout.

Then get a floor scraper (not the kind with a razor blade) and scrape it all up. Because the bond is broken, the tile will now come up in chunks rather than having to chisel out each piece.

Then take two Advil, and drink a beer.

Answer 2

It's according to your budget, the size of your arms and the shape your back is in.
A 2 1/2" wide masons chisel and a 4 lb hammer will get it done about as fast as you can do it, if your body is up to it.
If you have an air compressor you can buy an air chisel at Big Lots, Walmart, etc., for around 20 bucks and that will get the job done, along with the first answer for the real stubborn places as easy as you are going to do it.
It will take at least a 2 or 3 hp compressor. Check the cubic feet per minute on both it and the chisel. I have done it using both when the compressor really wasn't large enough. When it runs low on air, grab the hammer and let the pressure build up.
One last bit of info. Get you a little creeper seat or build you one that keeps your tail about 8 to 12 inches above the floor. You DO NOT WANT TO BE DOING IT ON YOUR KNEES.
If you are a young buck like I used to be, when you get to be an old man like I am now, you will pay for it. Trust me, I am on disability now because of what I used to think was OK to do. Your body only has so many miles for it. Keep the speed down, if you know what I mean.
Save something for the good times.
And yes, mastic is glue. Good to put down but the worst to get back up.

Answer 3

There is no easy way, just some ways that aren't quite as difficult as others. Get a floor scraper from HD or Lowe's. Also get a stiff putty knife and a torch. Use the knife and torch to start an area, then pop the rest of the tiles off with the floor scraper. Next, you will need to remove the adhesive. Use the torch to soften the glue, then scrape it off with the putty knife. Once you get the majority off, you can use adhesive remover, which is available at most tile stores, to get the rest off. If you can, use a sander on the floor to remove any traces of the adhesive before staining. Hope this helps.

Answer 4

Bust a section with a hammer. Use a heavy blade 'ice scraper', the type you'd use on your sidewalks. They will pop fairly easy, but it will be messy. Ceramic tile are laid in one of two methods, either with mastic or thin set mortar.
It's not going to be easy either way, but doable. After tiles are removed, you will need to level the sub-straight before installing you next floor covering. Depending on what you have currently you may need to install a new 'sub-floor' or use one of the 'self-leveling compounds available on the market.
Remember also, that any doors will need to be undercut to allow for new thickness of replacement materials.

Answer 5

Hey "hometech" whatever, mastic is not glue, j*****s. The best way I know to take up floor tiles is like people said before, use a cold chisel and a hammer and go to work. First, hit the tile with a hammer several times in the middle, once you see a big enough hole where you can get in with your chisel, sick your chisel in between the tile and the mortar. Remember to keep the chisel at a pretty flat angle, this will give you the best results. It will not be easy, but keep on. Good luck.

Answer 6

Ceramic tiles are not glued down. They are held down with a mastic or some type of liquid latex. You can rent a machine to break up the tile and remove it.

Answer 7

After Hurricane Katrina I pulled up many tile floors and while it is not easy I think that a coal chizel works the best. It is like a steel rod that weighs about 25 lbs with a flat end. some people also call this a railroad pry bar.

Answer 8

I'll give you 2 choices, one is to break out the outer tiles and use a skilsaw and cut through the 5/16s lament below so all the tiles come up at one time and replace the lament for the next job.
two is to chip out the tiles with a straight hoe and or hammer/scraper and remove them from the mortar/thin-set...then scrape the lament clean of mortar and reapply next application

Answer 9

Like ticatori said just bust up a strarter spot and then pry up the under layment. the under layment should be concrete board 1/4 to 1/2 inches thick in older homes it my just be ply wood and in really old homes it will actually be formed up between joists and 1-2 inches of concrete poured. Its not gonna be easy I would use a couple of crow bars (pry bars) one to hammer in and get a start and the other( a larger bar) for leverage. then just take out little peices at a time. first timer expect to spend about 4hours for every 5 sqft..

Answer 10

if they are glued down which they should not. they should be set in floor tile adhesive, to save time and money tile over them.