Tile Removal Questions

DecksEtc

Okay, we're finally getting around to moving into our new house (old one is still on the market - DON'T ASK) and one of my first jobs is to re-tile the basement bathroom and kitchen. The existing tile is horrible and one of the worst tiling jobs I have ever seen. I'm sure a lot of you tile folks have seen worse though. The bathroom looks like they tiled over some dead snakes.

Anyway, the tile in the bathroom are those small 1 1/2 x 1 1/2 squares and it is taking me forever to get them up off the cement floor. The removal of the tiles and the thinset is actually taking part of the concrete floor with them (I'm going to have to use the self leveling mortar before I can lay the new tiles). I'm using a thick pry bar and my hammer but I am lucky to get more than one or two pieces of tile up at a time. And, the kitchen floor I have to do next is a honeycomb pattern - which I am dreading. I'm almost done removing the bathroom tiles but before I start on the kitchen tiles I was wondering if anyone could offer any tips or methods that would help me get these damn tiles up easier/faster.

As always, any help or advice is appreciated.

Blackhawk

Try an airchisel the ones u run off compressor or hammer drill set on chisel.. airchisels r cheap ..hoe this helps..

Mike Finley

Yep, air chisel, you would have been done in the time it took you to post the problem. Hammer drill would be my last choice over an air chisel, simply because the hammer drill doesn't lend itself too well to getting it angled as close to the floor as you need to get these off quickly. A cheap $29.00 air chisel you can lay almost horizontally and go to town.

DecksEtc

Thanks guys! Looks like I'm off to my tool supply store tomorrow and pick up an air chisel. I doubt it will be as cheap as $29.00 here but if it works it will be well worth the cost.

The I'll have to drop by the TBA thread to confess my sin

DecksEtc

Well, dropped by my tool supply store yesterday and they only stocked an Ingersoll Rand "kit" that included the springs and chisel set for $159.99. And, although I swear by buying the best tools for the job, I decided to shop around since I don't see myself using it too much after this job. Anyway, long story short, I picked up a smaller one that included 2 chisels and a spring for $26.99.

Here's hoping it solves my dilemma tomorrow.

Eric K

Homo Depot has a tile removal machine in their rental dept now. Its real heavy and kinda hard to move around but on a concrete floor it works pretty good. Wouldnt use it on a wood floor tho. It has a 4" chisel tip and just chips away at the tile. I just used one yesterday.

DecksEtc

Thanks KBK. The thing is the bathroom tiles are pretty much done and the kitchen area I'm doing next is only about 150 sq. ft. I'll give the air hammer a shot tomorrow and see how it goes.

Mike Finley

That's the one. At worst you might have to reshape the cheap spring half way through the job if the hammer action gets funky on you. Don't forget to wear gloves and safety glasses !

... and ear plugs!

DecksEtc

Thanks for the advice Mike!

Blackhawk

So how did it go ?

DecksEtc

Still in the same state is was when I posted this thread. Unfortunately the 14-18 hour days aren't giving me the time to get to it. My "rain days" been filled with working on pre-staining and milling cedar for some arbors and my business has taken off to being 3 times busier than last year. I'm booked to the end of July as of last night and I'm looking to add a second crew and have pretty much done my last fence job of the year - unless they happen to be custom cedar.

Thanks for asking though.

Mike Finley

Glad to hear it Terry!