Replies

1. 
   HeavyDuty | May 09, 2003 05:43am | #1

   Are these ceramic tiles? Vinyl? Linoleum? Anyway, I'll try with a long handle ice scraper. If they are large ceramic tiles, it'll help if you break them up into smaller pieces with a sledge. Don't forget eye protection.

   Tom

2. 
   Piffin | May 09, 2003 05:57am | #2

   Demo hammer

   Chisle bit

   .

   Excellence is its own reward!

3. 
   CAGIV | May 09, 2003 06:00am | #3

   Use a blanket when you bust the tile with the sledge, little shards of tile can hurt.

   Never be afraid to try something new. Remember, amateurs built the ark, Professional build the Titanic.

1. 
   kostello | May 10, 2003 08:55pm | #10

   broken tiles are like glass.

   i've got a 30 scar from a terracotta tile i was throwing into a rubble sack.

   they cut really clean and deep.

   i use a SDS drill with a cold chisel bit.

   really handy.

   aleks

4. 
   user-2255 | May 09, 2003 06:28am | #4

   Most likely, if you're talking about ceramic tiles, they'll be stuck directly to the slab.  Because of the area you're talking about, I would be very reluctant to use any kind of hand scraper or sledgehammer to do the job as it would get very old very quickly.  FYI, Laticrete and Custom Building Products both make an epoxy adhesive that will allow you to tile on top of tile... but it's often cost prohibitive to use the stuff.  I would head to my local rental place and rent myself a mini electric jackhammer (not sure if that's the technical term, just describe your situation and the guy behind the counter will usually know exactly what you need).  I believe that 'Wacker' makes just such a product.  By holding the hammer almost horizontally you can chisel underneath the tiles without chewing up and gouging out too much of your concrete.  Don't forget eye protection.  When the demolition is complete (by that I mean removing the tiles and the mortar) I prefer to use a product called Level Quick (another Custom product which can usually be obtained at your local hardware store)  When mixed according to instructions you can pour the mix on your floor and it seeks it's own level for the first 5-10 minutes or so.  It can be poured from thicknesses of 1/8" to 1" which can be very helpful with those larger chunks of concrete that come up with the tile.  With minimal use of a concrete float you'll be back to a very tile-friendly floor (and the cool thing is that it dries to a walkable, workable state in 4-5 hours).  Anywho, from there you tile as you normally would.

   Good Luck!

1. 
   jmarcus007 | May 09, 2003 06:37am | #5

   Good suggestions! Thanks! Sorry to not be more clear - they are indeed ceramic tile.

1. 
   apr328 | May 10, 2003 01:09am | #6

   Check out a vibrating floor scraper. It's on wheels so it'll save your arms over a large area.

5. 
   RW | May 10, 2003 05:17am | #7

   Its called a breaker hammer or a combi hammer. A breaker is a mini jackhammer, the combi is a combination hammer drill / hammer. A two inch flat head would make really quick work of the stuff. If you get on the edge of it like you're scraping, a good deal of them will just pop off without breaking. I've had real good luck with that route. Myself and another guy ripped the floor out of an office entry in just a couple of hours. Probably an area about 20 x 30, and that included carting it down the elevator to the dumpster.

   "The child is grown / The dream is gone / And I have become / Comfortably numb "      lyrics by Roger Waters

6. 
   RevTed | May 10, 2003 06:13am | #8

   $30 floor bully from HD makes short work of it.

   T

1. 
   caseyr | May 10, 2003 07:41am | #9

   If you have a good air compresser, you could use a chipping hammer.  Probably easier to handle than the electric mini-jackhammer.   If you are going to spread the work over a couple of days, it might be cheaper to buy one from Harbor Freight for $159

   http://www.harborfreight.com/

   and search for "chipping hammer". 

   And don't forget the ear plugs as well as the safety glasses. 

   Some adhesives will pop loose if subjected to direct application of dry ice, but I have never tried it with tile.  Probably not practical over a large area, although dry ice is pretty cheap.  (Some years back when computers were expensive, I had to use several styles of computer lockdown devices that were attached to desks with large sheets of adhesive.  Some of the suppliers suggested dry ice to remove the adhesive, some said apply heat. )

7. 
   andybuildz | May 11, 2003 06:11pm | #11

   If it were me, I'd tile directly over the old tile if its down real good, which it sounds like it is..

   You'll be adding maybe another 3/8" of height to the room unless youre using quarry tile or something similar. You'd have to be sure you have room under the dishwasher and fridge but other than that saddles can be installed where necessary and doors can easily be cut down as well as door casings.

   In the bathroom you'll probably have to use two wax seals under the toilet but thats about it. Sounds alot easier than taking the old tile up if its down soundly

   Be floored,

               Namaste

                            Andy

    

    

   In his first interview since the stroke, Ram Dass, 66, spoke with great difficulty about how his brush with death has changed his ideas about aging, and how the recent loss of two old friends, Timothy Leary and Allen Ginsberg, has convinced him that now, more than ever, is the time to ``Be Here Now.''

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