Is it difficult to take up cermic tile?

Answer 1

Sometimes it is, sometimes it isn't. Vague enough? HAHA.

Ok the truth is if it comes up easily, which is a relative term, then it probably wasn't set right in the first place. It also depends on the substrate. Removing probably set tile on concrete and concrete board is difficult. Removing tile from plywood isn't easy, but it is easier. Often removing tile from concrete board will damage the board, and it ends up being easier to remove the board, too.

The tools are a hammer, chisel, gloves, and shop vac. And just elbow grease. If it is on concrete, I use an air chisel. For underlayment, like plywood and concrete board, it will tear up the underlayment. But just removing the tile may tear up the underlayment anyway, so be prepared to fix underlayment, too.

Just like the first answer, what is the scope of the here? If you are removing the whole floor, it is going to take a while. But if you are going to remove a damage piece or two, do you have replacements. I'd check that before you start, because once you start you can't stop. Point is if it only a tiny chip, and you can't find an adequate replacement, then you are probably better off just leaving it. Generally, I leave a few pieces for just that reason. The problem is tile is produced in runs. One run from a brand and style of tile may not look like the same from a different run even from the same brand and style. There are often differences in the texture and tones from different runs.

Once you start to remove tile, be prepared for the mess. Don't expect to remove full pieces. If they do come up in full pieces, then it was probably set wrong.

The other thing is cut the grout. Sometimes, if the grout is still is in place, by removing one tile, the tile next to it can become loose or damaged. You reduce that possibility by cutting the grout. There is a small grout saw that makes cutting the grout easier.

Answer 2

Sometimes it is, sometimes not. It depends on how hard the mastic is. That is the stuff that holds it up. Often it is rock hard so it is difficult to remove the tiles.

Two big problems are that you will break tiles when you remove them and the surface under the tiles is often damaged. Either you damage it when pulling up the tiles, or it is already damaged by water, or both.

You usually can't find any replacements because yours are too old. One trick you can do is get some complimentary tiles and use those in a pattern. For example, some white ones in the top row, or some painted ones here and there. If you have only a few broken ones, you might be able to put those in so they even look better than the ones there now.

More specific answers will require more information from you.

P.S. all the other answers assume that you don't want to salvage the tiles, that you just want to remove them. I even got a thumbs down; perhaps because I assumed that you did want to salvage them and replace them. That is part of why I suggested that you give more details.

Answer 3

About 3 months ago, I removed the tile on the walls and floor of a bathroom. Wear safety goggles and a mask to protect you from breathing the dust. I used a hammer and a chisel and took a piece off at a time. Some pieces will break and leave sharp slivers - you can get cut picking them up - so wear gloves. And I also wore ear protector due to the sound.

Okay, I do prefer to do things the safe way - but if you have an accident - can you get out and get medical attention (say if you get something in your eye and cannot see to drive or dial a friend)?

Answer 4

No not at all. Alll you need is a hammer and a flat bar that you can hammer under the tile.

Most of the time, you can pop the tiles out whole. The little tiny bathroom tiles are usually the toughest because they can really stuck down.

Just wear eye protection, because once you start banging away, little pieces pop up all over the place.

It's easy. Go for it!

Answer 5

After installing and removing thousands of sq. ft. of tile, I'll say it's messy at its worst. Difficult is relative to the TOOLS one uses to accomplish any task.

More of an issue might be your intent after the fact? The mortar, Quick Set/Thin set used to install the tile, will likely be more stubborn than the tile itself, which is essentially no more than 3/8 inch thick glass.

There are chisels and floor scrapers designed specific to the job, and can be purchased to attach to long handles, relieving any on hands and knees effort for the most part.

Steven Wolf
(the Rev.)

Answer 6

It depends on how well it is glued and how heavy the tile is. you'll need a flat ended shovel or a edging tool for lawns, the tools themselves are kind of heavy so it really takes some strength and if it's a large area it may take a while for a small person or a woman to do it. Good luck.

Answer 7

Professionals always use a regular hammer to take ceramic tiles off walls and a sledge hammer to take ceramic tiles off floors. You have to first bust them all up, clean up the mess, then use a good pry bar and hammer to loosen up all the grout, clean up the mess, and then use a wide putty knife to remove the rest, and then clean up the mess, and then vacuum. Yes, it is difficult, but it can be done and done rather quickly. Be sure to wear safety goggles. Good Luck!

Answer 8

NO! Just get the proper tools for the job. It is labor intensive, so be prepared. Wear protective goggles, gloves, long sleeve shirt, etc. Ceramic tile is very sharp when it breaks, so protect the area from damage also.

Answer 9

No. Just patience. Use the adhesive remover and a scrapper.

Answer 10

big hammer, big chisel and safety glasses and hard work.