How To Remove Small Ceramic Floor Tile

Use a 3 4 or 1 in.

How to remove small ceramic floor tile.

Depending on the construction the tile may be attached to bare cement a plywood or mason board underlayment or even affixed to a previously installed floor. Strike the face of stubborn tiles to break them up for easier removal. Any panels that are damaged while removing the ceramic floor tiles will have to be ripped out and replaced. Removing ceramic floor tile.

Removing floor tile can be a difficult and time consuming project and the challenges often remain hidden until the project is underway. Always wear safety glasses when removing ceramic tile. In some cases the only way to tear out the ceramic tile is with heavy equipment such as a jackhammer or air chisel. Although we are using hand tools there are also power tools available to simplify the job.

Start at a broken tile or between tiles where the grout has loosened. Our example of floor tile removal uses basic hand tools on a ceramic tile floor that was laid over a plywood underlayment. Use a recip saw with a carbide grit masonry cutting blade and work in one small area at a time. Work the chisel under the tiles forcing them loose.

Use a ball peen or masonry hammer and cold chisel to tap the pieces free. If the backerboard is glued down the plywood subfloor may be damaged during the removal process. Masonry chisel and a 2 lb. If there are no cracks or loose grout you can hit a tile with the chisel so that it breaks.