I am looking at replacing my existing vinyl floor with tile. The corss-section of the floor (top to bottom) is vinyl, 1/4″ plywood underlayment, 1/2″ particle board underlayment, and finally subfloor. I am planning on removing the vinyl, plywood and particle board and replacing with 1/2 durarock + ceramic. This will preserve the overall height above the subfloor and match the threshholds/transitions into the adjacent rooms. So far, so good…
However, I do not wish to undergo the rather painful effort of removing all the base cabinets in order to remove the underlayments. Rather, I would like to cut (or at least deeply score) the underlayment as close to flush with the base cabinets as possible and effectively butt the durarock and tile up to the cabinets. I am looking for a relatively painless method that will work for the free end of the cabinets where the face is flush all the way to the floor as well as the front of the cabinets in the toe kick area.
Suggestions? Ideas? Tried and true methods?
Thx.
Replies
I am looking for a relatively painless method...
HA!
Relative being the operative word.
I'd start by removing the existing toe kicks. Then break out the Sawzall. Angle grinder maybe with the proper blade. Ask others about the Multimaster.....I'm not familiar enough with it.
Use one of the above to cut flush to your base cabinets. You might wanna run your circular saw....set at the correct depth, with a "demo" blade.....in a grid pattern (3' X 3' ) about the field of the floor. This will help you pull the floor in sections.
Once you get it removed, check the original subfloor thouroughly. It may well not be stable enough to use under the cemet board.
Best of luck!
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The company Crain makes just the tool for that, called a toe-kick saw. Imagine a circular saw with a 4" blade that extends out the shaft about 6". That leaves the motor housing out in front of the cabinet, and the blade rides flush with the toe-kick. You can do all but the last 7-8" of cabinets that form and inside corner, you'll still have to use a sawzall from there on...
As for buying one, check around at local flooring retailers, too.
When I checked into the toe-kick saw, it was set for a depth of 3/4" and not adjustable. If it will work for you, you can probably rent one from a good hardwood floor place.We recently did our kitchen floor to get back to the original hardwood. I used a sawz-all to cut through two layers of vinyl and 1/4" underlayment in places, then to get flush with the cabinets, my wife took the multimaster with the semi-circular blade turned sideways in the MM. She did a great job, but did go through a few nails.
We just finished such a job.
Have done similar before.
The Fein multimaster is the best overall tool for this.
Sometimes a long blade on a swasalll can get most of it.
I've used the Bosch fine cut saw too.
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The posts so far have given you some great ideas, I think Piffen suggests the Fein multimaster, this, I heard is a great tool ( on my wish list). That being said, I 'd just remove the cabinets and tear it all up. I don't know the layout of your kitchen, but weigh up the time spent fussin' about and maybe its not so bad. Did mine last year and trued up the bases on the re-install. The existing were a little off and I went with granite tops, so I was motivated, but the idea of crawlin' around on my knees for hours trying to make that cut just hurts my head.