HOW-TO GUIDE: HOW TO REMOVE A TILED FLOOR
Our easy, step-by-step guide how to remove a tiled floor.
How to remove a tiled floor
Do you have an old, tiled floor that you would like to bring up to date with the latest trends? Do you fancy removing them yourself but just don’t know where to start and how to remove floor tiles?
Check out our step-by-step guide below from Speedy Services the UK's leading tool hire company with helpful tips on how to get you started with your DIY projects with our easy guides for tile removal. Removing your floor tiles has never been easier, start to transform your home today with our how to remove a tiled floor guide and be the envy of all your neighbours with your top DIY skills.
What tools do I need to remove a tiled floor?
- Floor tile lifter
- Vacuum cleaner
- Shovel
- Sledgehammer
- Crowbar
- Shovel
- Heavy-duty floor scraper
- Chisel
- Broom
- Dustpan and brush
- Dust sheets or plastic sheeting
- Masking tape
- Heavy-duty plastic rubbish bags
- Floor sanding block
What PPE safety equipment do I need for tile removal?
- Safety goggles
- Gloves
- Dust mask
- Ear protection
- Knee pads
- Steel toe-capped work boots
Planning & preparation before you start removing tiles
To ensure you get the best finish possible for your DIY project, please read our check list below including planning, preparation, and safety precautions to be carried out before starting to remove floor tiles.
Check 1: Check you have the right tools
You can hire a floor tile lifter from Speedy Services for easier tile removal, it is power driven to provide excellent forward traction. This tile removal tool offers a high-performance stripping action for the removal of tiles, even in tough working conditions. Other tools you should have handy for this tile removal project are listed above.
Check 2: Safety & PPE equipment
Keep materials and sharp tools out of children’s reach, wear correct safety PPE equipment as listed above before you start removing floor tiles, as there will be a lot of dust and pieces of ceramic tile flying around which can cause you a serious injury its best to be safe and wear the right protection.
How to remove a tiled floor
Step 1: Clear the working area
- Remove any items carefully that are in the way to avoid damage including free standing furniture, doors and door frames, skirting boards.
- Protect any items that can’t be moved with dust sheets or plastic sheeting and masking tape.
- Protect your home from dust spreading by covering up doorways with plastic sheeting and masking tape.
Step 2: Where to start on a tiled floor
- Start at the edge of the tiled floor in a spot that has easy access for example a doorway.
- Look for a weak point for getting a chisel, crowbar or floor tile lifter machine onto the floor such as missing grout or a cracked tile.
- Alternatively, you can use a sledgehammer to break up the tile along the grout joints.
Speedy Tip! Using a floor tile lifter will make it easy to remove floor tiles.
Step 3: Removing surrounding floor tiles
- To remove surrounding tiles, position your chisel behind the tile you are working on and tap the chisel with a hammer to get it underneath the tile, then slide the chisel forward to carefully prise out the tile.
- Use the chisel or floor scraper to remove the remaining tiles one by one, repeat this process until all the floor tiles in the room have been removed.
Step 4: Remove any old tile adhesive
- Remove any old tile adhesive and grout by either using a hammer and chisel, floor scraper and / or shovel (find the method you find easiest).
- You may need to use a floor sanding block to achieve a smooth finish.
Step 5: Time to clean up
- Use a shovel and broom to clean up any leftover debris and put in heavy-duty plastic rubbish bags, check with your local authority about the correct method of waste disposal requirements.
- Finally use a dustpan and brush, use a vacuum cleaner to remove any remaining dust.
Congratulations! you have now removed your floor tiles, time to lay your new floor!
Ready for more DIY tips and ideas?
Thank you for reading the Speedy Services blog, there’s plenty more tips and how-to-guides where this came from. Keep checking back here for more inspiration and help for your DIY projects to help keep your home or garden in tip-top condition.
You’ll find all the tools you need here too, available to hire at affordable prices so why not start planning your next project and open a Speedy account today online and instore.
