Removing brick floor

BOSconstruction · Jul 18, 2017

Hello all. Im about to do a floor that consists of removing the brick floor and intalling vinyl planks over it.

I have removed a few tile floors with my sds hammer with a chisel bit.

This is my first brick removal. It sits about an inch or 1.5" above the current vinyl laminate. If I beat these brick pavers out, will it go right to the concrete foundation, just like when removing tiles and thinset? Or am i going to have to level and float the floor after I beat them out?

There is also 800 sq ft of vinyl plank being laid over the existing vinyl flooring in the home. I want the new floor where the bricks are, to be level with the new floor I set on top of the planks.

Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.

BOSconstruction · Jul 20, 2017

Bump...I have pics of the floor at the bottom. The bricks are an inch thick or so. If i remove them, should the foundation be level like when removing tiles? Or will i have to level it out?

Tinstaafl · Jul 20, 2017

I'd feel safe in assuming there's a flat slab under the brick. I'd also feel safe in assuming that if the installer did his job right, your SDS chisel will just be the first step before grinding.

BOSconstruction · Jul 20, 2017

So you're saying Im going to have to put a grinder on it after the sds chisel? I cant just chisel every little piece of mortar off?

If so, what is the best wheel to grind it off with?

Tinstaafl · Jul 20, 2017

Vinyl, even in plank form, requires a very smooth/flat surface in order to look good. It's highly unlikely you'd be able to remove every single crumb with a chisel, with no oopsies.

I wouldn't consider trying to clean it up with an angle grinder unless it's an extremely tiny space. Rent a machine. I'm no expert on those; I leave that to the tile guys.

BOSconstruction · Jul 20, 2017

The size is 280-300 sq ft throughout 2 rooms. One is the kitchen with 120 sq ft, with brick going up to the cabinets. So I would probably have to use a 5" grinder with a concrete wheel to get a few inches underneath them.

Roughly how long would it take one man to grind 300 sq ft with a 5" concrete surfacing wheel vs a concrete grinding machine.

I didnt account for concrete resurfacing in the bid, but if i have to rent a machine I will. Im not spending the entire day grinding the floor with a 5"

Tinstaafl · Jul 21, 2017

I have no idea; I've never done it. But way too long, not to mention the godawful cloud of dust you'd be generating.

BOSconstruction · Jul 21, 2017

I just found a local rental place with the 10" grinding machine for $82 daily. I think it says it grinds 250 sq ft per hour. Maybe i can get by with a 4 hour rental.

Either way, I always put hose clamps on my vaccum and connect it directly to my sds chisel. It helps out a ton.

rrk · Jul 21, 2017

The dust deputy grinder shroud, vacuum, grinder and a cup wheel will make that go quick (er) once the bricks are off. Check the other threads about the shroud.

BOSconstruction · Jul 27, 2017

I have to dump the bricks at a landfill and they charge $70 per ton.

On the demolition forum, they say a Square foot of 4" brick weighs 40 pounds.

If so, then 300 sq ft of bricks would be 12,000 pounds.

If I am correct, these brick pavers should only be about an 1" to 2" in thickness....am I correct on this? They dont use 4" brick on interior floors do they?

BOSconstruction · Jul 27, 2017

Also, i have a 6 foot bed on my truck. Roughly how many bedloads will i have of 300 sq ft of interior brick pavers? Or weight estimate.

Fouthgeneration · Jul 28, 2017

a half thick paver = ~4-5 lbs. 1 1/8" x 3 5/8" x 7 5/8". 1/2" x 4" X 8"= 16 cubic inches of mortar bed and joints each unit or 72 " cubed per sq ft. area ,
24sq ft to a cubic ft. x 2 for demo bulking 24cu ft of dead mortar, near 1200 lbs mortar... plus 1350 units x 5lbs = 6750 lbs at least two 1/2 ton truck trips.... + or - 25%

BOSconstruction · Jul 28, 2017

Hey thanks a lot. I forgot to add in for the mortar.

Brick pavers for the floor are usually 1/2" right?

BOSconstruction · Jul 28, 2017

Ok. I got ya. 1/2 " thick paver.

Fouthgeneration · Jul 28, 2017

a half thick paver = ~4-5 lbs. 1 1/8" x 3 5/8" x 7 5/8". 1/2" x 4" X 8"= 16 cubic inches of mortar bed and joints each unit or 72 " cubed per sq ft. area ,
24sq ft to a cubic ft. x 2 for demo bulking 24cu ft of dead mortar, near 1200 lbs mortar... plus 1350 units x 5lbs = 6750 lbs at least two 1/2 ton truck trips.... + or - 25%

Removing brick floor

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