For some reason I‘m having a hard time finding a good DIY instruction page on how to remove floor tile. Half of them are about removing just one damaged tile and the rest all have different methods. Some say to place a towel on top of it and smash with something, others have different machines. I‘m not really sure where to start. The space is about 5‘ x 5‘ and the tiles are the tiny kind, like 1 sq. inch each. What tools do I need? Do people usually tile underneath wooden vanities? Will I have to take it up? Help!
hammer, scraper , junk chisel , not the most fun project but just keep chipping and scaping.
a square ended shovel and a hoe that is straightened out will usually do the trick with some elbow grease and people usually do not put tile under cabinets
First stop should be a Home Depot or Revy or whatever building supplier you have near you. They will know and have the tools you might need and could give good advice on the easiest removal. Unfortunately there are no magically easy ways to do this. If you are able to attack an edge, good for you. Use a good, sturdy scraper. Perhaps even one that you will be able to use a hammer on the end of. Then it is just simply a matter of elbow grease and determination. Actually, a 5' X 5' space will come off fairly quickly once you get started. If you are not able to start at an edge, you will have to make one by chiselling out a few tiles until you can get your sturdy scraper working again. just scrape a few grout lines and pry out some tiles. Please wear safety glasses and gloves throughout this whole procedure. These things will chip and have very sharp edges. The next part is to be sure that you scrape off all of the thinset (glue) that was holding the tiles down. You are now almost ready to re-tile, if that is your goal. If it is, then just be sure that the area is solid and clean and you are good to go. As for tiling under a vanity . . . some do and some don't. New home bulders certainly don't in order to keep costs down. It certainly is not necessary as long as the vanity will be the right height after you are done. There could be a 1/4 to 1/2 inch height difference due to the thickness of the tiles. Hope this helps. George
I am assuming the tile is on a wooden sub-floor based on the under the vanity question. If so take a hammer to it. The tiles should come up fairly easily. the hard part is getting the thin set cement underneath to come up. Try a scrapper with a 4 razor blade to get that up. try wetting it first. If it turns out to take too long and you find it difficult to get the thin set up, consider renting a roto-chipping hammer to get it up. It's about $35 a day to rent. If this is an older home, the tile will be in a cement base up to 1 1/2 thick (with a wire mesh) and you'll want to get the rotohammer then. If the tile is on a concrete slab intead of wooden sub-floor get the rotohammer. Hope this helps
