Removing Tile over hard wood flooring - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

CMSuper · 03-14-2006, 09:53 AM

Has any one ever come across trying to refinish 3/4" red oak hard wood after removing 12x12 ceramic tile and cement. Before I have a subcontractor attempt it I would like to know what we are up against, mainly mastic in the cracks, warping, and cement stains. What are your experiences if any? Thanks.

**Floorwizard** · 03-14-2006, 05:48 PM

Holy cow!

Sounds like a tough thing to do.

R&D Tile · 03-14-2006, 06:44 PM

I would like to get my hands on the person who set the tile directly over it like that, it should have been removed.

**Floorwizard** · 03-14-2006, 06:47 PM

I hear ya.

CMSuper · 03-15-2006, 06:48 AM

I'd like to do the same, and the tile is'nt even any good. What were they thinking. Thanks any ways. I'll tell you what I find and how it comes out when we're done.

Donedat · 03-15-2006, 12:05 PM

I would remove the tile, clean up the mess, then wash the floor down with a mild detergent and water mix and then evaluate the floor. Doesn't take any time to rip out a hardwood floor.

CMSuper · 03-15-2006, 01:12 PM

Thanks, that's what I figured.

adams,b · 03-17-2006, 12:24 AM

Just sand it down and refinish it. What you see is what you get.

It will clean up, may just look a little old.

Bud Cline · 03-17-2006, 01:34 PM

"Sand" tile mastic???????

Ches · 03-17-2006, 02:15 PM

Never had much luck sanding adhesive residue with a drum sander or buffer.
Just heats up and turns into a gummy mess. Pretty hard on equipment and nerves. Any more if we do one of these we scrape up the junk before sanding. Some guys will use a stripper but you can get that down between the boards and have contamination and finish problems later. Hope this helps.

CMSuper · 04-28-2006, 09:43 AM

Just to update any interesting parties...the tile was installed with a tar paper underlay that was staple like crazy, then wire lath again, staple like crazy, mortat and tile. If it were not for the thousands of staples the floor would have been salvagable, but just to many staples to remove and it would have looked like crap if it were refinished with all those holes. Ended up ripping it all out and replacing it. Thanks.