Tile or Stone Flooring Removal

Safety First:

• Ensure that the property has been tested for the presence of asbestos containing materials, as required by OSHA regulations.

• Wear appropriate PPE, including a respirator, safety glasses, gloves, and a hard hat.  

• Turn off water to the property while working. (Consider use of signage to warn not to turn the water back on)

Getting Started/ Prepping The Work Area:

• Move Furniture & Content: Get the furniture and content out of the way prior to getting started.

• Drying Equipment Present: If drying equipment is onsite & running, it must be switched off, wrapped up, and moved out of the work area.

• Dehumidifier readings should be collected before moving them, if running.

• It's going to be in the way: It'll just be something else that requires manipulation in the room.

• Dehumidifier(s) should be moved into another area out of the way, and keep it running, as they take a while to start dehumidifying again

  • Ensure that the discharge hose is still in the drain. (even when switched off, the discharge can activate by leaning the unit back for repositioning.)

• Air movers should also be switched off and moved, as they 2 will be in the way & create issues in production efforts.

• Air Filtration Devices should be be operated as normally while work is ongoing to control dust & debris. 

  • Special considerations may be required if they are absolutely going to be in the way. 

  • This requires special shutdown sequences on many situations. 

• Protect Surrounding Areas: Cover adjacent floors with protective material or drop cloths to prevent damage associated with the removal.

• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Wear safety glasses, gloves, a dust mask or respirator, and knee pads for comfort.

• Tool Selection: Depending on installation type, different tools may be required, But you'll likely need;

  • A hammer.

  • flat pry bar.

  • A shingle shovel with a leverage strut.

• Setup a Containment Barriers: Especially if saws will be required or if you suspect there will be mold growth discovered.

• Use Air Filtration: Especially if saws will be required, or if mold is likely to be discovered during removal. (Negative Pressure is Preferred)

Containment:

• Erect a plastic barrier between work area, and unaffected areas.

  • Large spans will require tension poles to support the plastic, especially when used with negative air pressurization.

  • Use Interference fit 2x materials along walls to give plastic something to be stapled to.

  • Use painters tape as safe barrier to bond plastic & duct tape to.

  • Cut egress point (inverted T cut into the plastic.)

• Set up Air Filtration Device (Preferably Negative Air Pressurization)

  • Ensure that there's enough ducting attached to the unit to allow it to be moved around the room while working.

Protect Tubs, Showers & Cabinetry:

• Cabinetry where the tile flooring doesn't run beneath it will require protection while carefully working around the cabinets.

• Cabinetry where the tile flooring does go beneath it will require removal, prior to getting started with removal.

• Showers & tubs that aren't also being removed, should have protective barriers setup such as packing blankets & cardboard to protect from flying debris.

Remove Baseboards and Trim:

• • Carefully pry off baseboards and trim using a pry bar.

    • Baseboards may have been installed before the ceramic tile was installed, which makes removal complicated.

    • Either remove the baseboards after the tile & underlayment has been removed, or

    • Drive the flat pry bar into the baseboard with the pry bar flat against the tile, and using the tile to pry against, lift the tile up out of the gap between the wall & the tile.

  • Remove any nails or screws.

Breaking up the Tile:

• • Use a hammer and chisel or a specialized tile removal tool to break up the tile. 

  • Eye, hand and Respiratory protection is required. 

  • Start at a doorway and work into the room.

  • Apply firm, controlled blows to avoid damaging the subfloor.

  • For larger tiles, a sledgehammer may be necessary.

Removing Tiles From A Mortar Bed:

• • For mortar beds, the process can be very difficult, and may require a demolition hammer, and a great deal of time.

  • Mortar bed likely has mesh metallic material buried in it for reinforcement. 

Underlayments:

Cement Board (Backer Board):

• • A cement-based board used as a stable substrate for tile.

  • Provides a strong and water-resistant surface.

  • Often used over wooden subfloor systems.

Mortar Bed: (sometimes called a mud bed)

• • A thick layer of mortar used to create a level and stable base for tile.

  • Common in older installations.

Uncoupling Membrane: (Schluter - DITRA)

• • Designed to prevent cracks in tile due to movement in the subfloor.

  • Provides a layer of separation between the tile and the subfloor.

Thin-set Mortar:

• • The adhesive used to bond tile to the underlayment.

Underlayment Removal:

• • Unless directed otherwise, remove the underlayment as well as the tile.

  • Cement board can be removed by unscrewing or prying it off.

  • Plywood can be removed by unscrewing or prying it off.

    • Ensure that all screws & hardware have been removed from the subfloor prior to cleaning.

  • Mortar beds will require significant force, and a demolition hammer.

  • Inspect & report on the subfloor for damage, such as cracks, rot, or unevenness.

Debris Removal:

• • Immediately gather and contain the broken tile and debris in sturdy containers.

  • Use heavy-duty garbage bags or buckets.

  • Regularly sweep or vacuum the work area to minimize dust.

Cleanup:

• • Thoroughly clean up the subfloor by scraping remaining grout or thinset. 

  • Use a broom & dust pan to remove any remaining grout or debris that wasn't picked up.

  • HEPA vacuum the entire area, especially the horizontal surfaces.

Setup Drying Equipment (If Applicable)

• Equipment that was moved from the work area, should be reset back after clean up.

Documentation:

• • Take photos before, during, and after removal.

  • Pictures should show containments, air filtration devices, as well as PPE used.

  • Leave samples of the flooring, ideally full size pieces of tile.

  • Document the type of tile and underlayment removed, or any additional flooring discovered & removed.

  • Document any damage to the subfloor.

  • Report any damage to pipes or wiring during removal.