How to Remove Old Ceramic Tile Floors Without Damaging the Tile

There may come a time when you want to remove ceramic tile floors. You may want to cover the floor with carpet or hardwood. This might not mean that you no longer like the tile or would not mind if it were destroyed in the removal process. You might want to sell it or use it elsewhere in your home. Removing ceramic floor tiles in such a way that you do not break them takes much more time than just plowing through the tile, but it is worth it. The following article will show you how to remove yet preserve ceramic flooring tiles.

Step 1 – Dealing with Grout

When ceramic tile floors are installed, each ceramic tile is not only glued to the floor but is also set in place by grout. Grout is essentially concrete mixed with sand and dries to be as hard as rock. Over the years, the grout will dry out and crack unless it is properly sealed. Regardless of the state of the grout, you will still need to deal with it in order to remove the tiles without harming them. For this, you will use a grout saw. This handy tool will make quick work of cutting the hardened grout. Place the saw in the center of the grout line and carefully cut it. You will know when you are at depth because the resistance will change. Continue cutting the grout until the entire ceramic floor is dealt with.

Step 2 – Protect the Tile

Any type of vibration can cause ceramic floor tiles to crack. The easiest way to protect the tile is to use masking tape. Rip off two pieces of masking tape and cross them in the center of each ceramic floor tile. As you are trying to remove the ceramic floor tiles, the masking tape will absorb the vibrations, causing the tiles to be exposed minimally to it.

Step 3 – Remove the Ceramic Floor Tiles

The first ceramic tile is always the hardest one to remove and, as such, is the one most likely to break. The trick is to work very slowly and methodically while protecting the tile as much as possible. Several things to use here are the mallet and plastic putty knife and the suction cup and string. Place the putty knife along the cut grout line at an angle that is as close to the surface as possible. Tap it slowly with the mallet until it is worked under a tile. Remove the putty knife and place it along the next edge and repeat until all sides are complete. Place the suction cup in the center of the tile and thread twine through the protruding hole. Pull on the twine as you carefully pry the tile from the floor. Remove the remaining ceramic floor tiles in the same way until finished.