Removing Cermaic Tile

1. Break up tiles - Removing ceramic tile is a messy and labor-intensive job. If the tile has been in place for a long time, odds are the adhesive that bonds the tile to the underlayment won?t want to release. The best way I?ve found to remove ceramic tiles is to first break them up into small pieces with a maul or sledgehammer. Make sure to wear eye protection and gloves when you do this. Also, it?s a good idea to cover door openings to prevent flying shards of tile from escaping the room.

2. Scrape away residue - After you?ve broken the tiles into smaller pieces, use a floor scraper to free them. Hold the scraper at a low angle to the floor to prevent the sharp blade from digging into the underlayment. Stubborn tiles may need to be persuaded with a maul and a wide-blade masonry chisel. If you?re not planning on reusing the underlayment, you may be better off cutting through the tile and underlayment with a masonry blade in a circular saw and then prying up sections.

3. Use a belt sander if necessary - If you plan to reuse the underlayment, you?ll likely have adhesive residue left on it after scraping. A belt sander with a very coarse belt (30- to 60-grit) can be used to grind away the adhesive. Here again, wear eye protection. Since small particles of adhesive, tile, and underlayment will become airborne, you should also wear a dust mask during sanding and when sweeping or vacuuming up the dust.