How hard can it be to remove a few floor tiles? Harder than you think, it will take longer then you think and it will be dusty. Even if you hire a tile company to come out and remove it for you, you are looking at the same steps and about to the same time frame. I would plan on a minimum of 3 days for any project to get done. Tile companies normally do not include clean up so that adds another day. (At Austin Dustless Tile Removal we can get up to 1500 square feet, with cleanup included, completed in one full day.)
Should I Remove the Tiles?
You know that if you are wanting a new floor, the tiles that are already there will need to be removed. So what is the process and what should you expect?
Now before we get into the removing of tile, let’s have a look at how tiles are usually fixed to the slab. A mortar-like mix called “thinset” glues the tiles to the slab. This is done by mixing the thinset, then using a tool to spread it onto the slab or the back of the tiles. The tiles are then laid and aligned using spacers. Once the thinset has bonded to the concrete the tiler will come back and put the grout between the tiles.
There are a few different types of thinset:
- mortar like thinset, much like the mortar used between bricks. It may or may not crumble away when power tools are used on it.
- fortified – like standard thinset, but tougher. It is getting closer to concrete strength.
- flexbond – contains polymer, allowing for movement in the tiles. It may prevent cracking or lifting.
Danger
If your tiles were laid prior to the 80’s, the thinset may contain asbestos. If there is a chance you have asbestos present, get it tested and call in the professionals. Tiles are not worth death or sickness.
How Do I Remove the Tiles?
Depending on how well the tiles are installed will depend on if they will start lifting easily. In some cases, It can be quite hard to get them up but getting the tile up is not the hard part. The thinset is another matter. It can be incredibly tough to shift.
Some people / companies use a rotary hammer drill, Trolley Mounted Demolition Hammer, or angle grinder with wire brush. These tools throw up a lot of dust but nothing like an angle grinder with diamond grinding wheel. This tool will turn everything in your house grey. At the very least you will want to cover everything you own with drop sheets!
There is some prep work that will be needed before we take on the thin set:
- Get the room protected with drop sheets or plastic. You will want to block doorways and furniture because removing thinset will throw up a ton of dust.
- Try and keep the dust confined to your work area.
- Make sure you wear a respirator or class 2 dust mask, along with hearing and eye protection!
Tip wear a hat or a cap. Concrete dust is hard to get out of your hair.
Danger
Concrete/thinset dust is not nice stuff. It contains silicates which are known to cause various lung conditions and it’s carcinogenic too. Make sure you wear a respirator while working AND while cleaning up.
You will have a lot of broken tiles, a lot of dust, and big piles of thinset. If possible, rent a dumpster. If not, you are going to have to do a dump run. I have done this before and trust me you want to rent a Dumpster if at all possible! Getting all Of this out of your truck is almost as much work as the entire floor.
To clean the room, follow this process (Ensure you have your dust mask on):
- Manually carry all the larger tile pieces out to your dumping pile
- Use an outdoor broom (the wider the better) to sweep up all the dust and thinset, then shovel it straight into a wheel barrow.
- Use your indoor broom to sweep up. The softer bristles should pick up a lot of crud.
- Use a shop vac to pickup anything remaining. You could use your regular vacuum, but don’t come crying to me if Mr Dyson explodes.
- Dust everything
- Mop.
- Change your air filters
This may seem excessive, but if you don’t follow these steps, you will have dust everywhere. You will be finding dust in 6 months time.
This will take about 3 or 4 full days depending on the size of the space. It could take longer but don’t count on it being less then 3 to 4 days. This time frame is not including clean up!
Before you go down this path really think about whether you have enough time and patience.
