Removing tile that is set under base cabinets.. - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

bujaly · 05-26-2009, 12:52 PM

Hey all... Went to look at a tiling job that was in the kitchen. Anyway, there is currently tile there that is failing, in a few spots, nothing major. Just some cracking on a few. I believe due to poor craftsmanship. The homeowner wants new tile and so forth.
The current tile is under the cabinets. I've never removed tile that was under the cabinets, just to the toe-kick.

What's the procedure for removing the tile? I would assume to just cut the tile where it meets the cabinet, but there is a bit of intrusion from the cabinet face, to the cabinet base. I'm not able to use my grinder with a 4' tile blade to cut it.. I've thought about just using an air-hammer with a chisel, but then with the face of the cabinets there, i would be coming in at about a 30 degree angle which would have me taking out the front of the cabinets base support.
What to do?
I also thought of just laying down laminate right over???? But Not to sure of that..

naptown CR · 05-26-2009, 01:11 PM

I use a rotary hammer set on hammer only and a wide chisel and break it off at the toekick. Once I add underlayment it covers right up with the tile.

gumba · 05-26-2009, 02:25 PM

I usually offer some options to resolve the damage that does occur from remove tile at the toe kick that still is set underneath the cabinet base.
One, if possible remove the toe kick prior to demo and rest after demo prior to your install of the tile. Second, you can put ceramic tile onto the toe kick. Third, re laminate or re board the toe kick.

kevjob · 05-26-2009, 02:48 PM

try the crane toe kick saw with diamond blade and tape off cabinet so no damage to cabinets works great.

bujaly · 05-26-2009, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by naptown CR

I use a rotary hammer set on hammer only and a wide chisel and break it off at the toekick. Once I add underlayment it covers right up with the tile.

Yeah, i understand that, but as I stated, my concern with that is, the angle I will be coming in at is very low. I will probably end up taking tile that is "under" the cabinets and I'm afraid of disturbing the support that the tile is serving for right now.

Quote:

Originally Posted by gumba

I usually offer some options to resolve the damage that does occur from remove tile at the toe kick that still is set underneath the cabinet base.
One, if possible remove the toe kick prior to demo and rest after demo prior to your install of the tile. Second, you can put ceramic tile onto the toe kick. Third, re laminate or re board the toe kick.

lol!! I'm sorry, but I am totally lost on that comment sir. No offense...

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevjob

try the crane toe kick saw with diamond blade and tape off cabinet so no damage to cabinets works great.

That looks like the exact tool I would need. I am going to call my local tool rental tomorrow. Thanks Kevjob!

rbsremodeling · 05-26-2009, 04:27 PM

tape up the toe kick up real nice. Chipping hammer out the old tile, if you take your time you will get really close with the hammer, put down shoe moulding where the new tile hits the cabinet.

Send Rory 2 dolla

WarnerConstInc. · 05-26-2009, 05:08 PM

Multimaster, or tell them they should pull the cabinets and counters.

PrecisionFloors · 05-26-2009, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevjob

try the crane toe kick saw with diamond blade and tape off cabinet so no damage to cabinets works great.

Seconded.

If you are laying laminate I don't see the need in pulling the tile though, unless there is a height issue. If it's on a slab I can't see where a 1/2" would make much of a difference. If its on wood and your pulling tile and backer that makes sense.

edit: You can also tile directly over existing tile, provided it is sound, bonded well (golf ball test it!), and there is NO cracking of tile or grout. Just a thought.

rbsremodeling · 05-26-2009, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PrecisionFloors

Seconded.

If you are laying laminate I don't see the need in pulling the tile though, unless there is a height issue. If it's on a slab I can't see where a 1/2" would make much of a difference. If its on wood and your pulling tile and backer that makes sense.

edit: You can also tile directly over existing tile, provided it is sound, bonded well (golf ball test it!), and there is NO cracking of tile or grout. Just a thought.

He mentioned air chisel to demo the floor. If its laminate tile I need to go stop him pronto

dkillianjr · 05-26-2009, 07:33 PM

bujaly, I think I know what you are saying, your worried about taking the support away from the bottom of the cabinets. What I have done in the past when doing something like this is just sorta remove the tile infront of one cabinet at a time reshimming as I go as nessesary. Make sure the cabinets are screwed together so one holds the next. Heck you could even have the HO empty the cabinets.

Dave

rsss396375 · 05-26-2009, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WarnerConstInc.

Multimaster, or tell them they should pull the cabinets and counters.

Oh come on......that's just trying to take the client for a $ ride. There's no need to do that. The toe kick is the way to go. Follow that line of advice and you will not only do the removal right, your client will appreciate the professionalism

Floordude · 05-27-2009, 11:42 AM

Harbor Freight Tools has a Crain toe kick saw knock off. It is about $40

Mike Costello · 05-27-2009, 03:58 PM

Dont do it , I burned one of those out on one job of ripping up 3/4 ply

Floordude · 05-27-2009, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Costello

Dont do it , I burned one of those out on one job of ripping up 3/4 ply

Heck, it paid for itself, and you took it back and got a new one, right? Hehehehe.

Believe it or not, I have had many Harbor Freight Tools last longer than I ever expected. I have been using one of their cheap table saws for the easy work, for 9 years now.

WarnerConstInc. · 05-27-2009, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rsss396375

Oh come on......that's just trying to take the client for a $ ride. There's no need to do that. The toe kick is the way to go. Follow that line of advice and you will not only do the removal right, your client will appreciate the professionalism

Not if they are willing to pay for it. Seriuosly, how much longer would it take to do what I said vs. dicking around trying to get that tile out from under the toe kick. What about where the fridge is or the dishwasher?

Take 4 hours to pull the counter and lowers in a modest sized kitchen?

How much time and effort will go into messing around trying to get the tile from under the kicks?

user3321 · 05-27-2009, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WarnerConstInc.

Not if they are willing to pay for it. Seriuosly, how much longer would it take to do what I said vs. dicking around trying to get that tile out from under the toe kick. What about where the fridge is or the dishwasher?

Take 4 hours to pull the counter and lowers in a modest sized kitchen?

How much time and effort will go into messing around trying to get the tile from under the kicks?

My thoughts exactly. Just pull the bases and be done with it. It'll ultimately save you a lot of frustration, and you'll get a better looking finished product than a "lop and butt."

Mike Costello · 05-27-2009, 10:32 PM

Actually it did make me four times what I paid for it on that job , but the 3/4 ply with the ceramic residue proved to be too much for it.

It went into the bin of unwanted and broken tools at the warehouse....Along with the bucket saw.

Mike Costello · 05-27-2009, 10:40 PM

If I ever was on a job and told my customer- contractor-or store owner- that I needed to pull out cabinets to rip up and install a new floor I would be takin Barista lessons in no time

kevjob · 05-28-2009, 07:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eindecker

My thoughts exactly. Just pull the bases and be done with it. It'll ultimately save you a lot of frustration, and you'll get a better looking finished product than a "lop and butt."

RLKMarble · 05-28-2009, 10:29 PM

If its that difficult, can you pull the toe kick? Most toe kicks come off without a problem.