How to Remove Ceramic Tiles from a Concrete Floor

Do you need to remove ceramic tiles from the floor? If you do, then this article is for you. Today, this article will discuss the fundamentals of removing tiles from a concrete slab or floor. Don't worry because this task is a job you can do yourself. And with the right tools at your disposal, you will be able to complete the job in no time. Read on and learn how to make the process of removing tiles a quick and hassle-free experience.

As with any job that requires the use of power tools and construction equipment, including floor levelling, it is important to wear the proper safety gear to ensure your safety and wellbeing. You must wear long pants and a thick, long-sleeved shirt to protect yourself from flying debris. Wearing a pair of gloves and goggles are also a must to protect your hands and your eyes.

Next is to break down the tiles using a small sledge hammer or a power tool. Using the sledge hammer is often more challenging and time-consuming because you have to get down on your knees and break the tiles one by one. On the other hand, using a power tool that resembles a jackhammer allows you to remove ceramic tiles at a much faster rate. When placed against the edge of a tile, the steel chisel moves in a rapid-fire action, enabling you to break and pulverise it as quickly as possible.

Once the tiles have been broken down, you should loosen the remaining ceramic tiles using a floor scraper so you can proceed with floor levelling. Make sure to sweep up or vacuum the small shards of broken tiles when you're done. This is to prevent them from causing injuries.

In case you want to remove ceramic tiles from a cement board, here's what you should do. First, chip out the gout with a putty knife and hammer. Alternatively, you can use a power tool to make the task much easier to accomplish. Pry the tile up and remove it from the floor. Then, strike the cement board underneath the removed tile with a hammer to break it down and expose the wood subfloor.

Next is to pry up the cement board, leaving the remaining tiles attached. This allows you to remove ceramic tiles without having to break all of them. If the cement board is secured to the floor with screws instead of roofing nails, you may have to break it into pieces and then remove the screws afterwards.