Removing floor tiles can be in sticky process. In the end, much depends on whether or not you want to preserve the tiles for some future project or not. When the goal is to save as many tiles as possible, it then becomes a tad thornier. Most floor tiles are adhered to their sub floor with some of the strongest products made. Separating tiles from the sub floor is therefore a project requiring the right tools and some patient work. In the end, strength can also be a huge help.

Some tiles, of course, are adhered by virtue of cement. This can be easier or harder than a typical floor mastic, but, once again, I can assure you, it is more of the above. Among the tools you need is a pry bar, a hammer and chisel (preferably a “cold chisel”, suitable for stone work), a small strong screwdriver and perhaps a rotary tool, good for cutting and certainly helpful in the removal of the grout along the sides of all the tiles.

First, let’s get rid of the grout between the tiles. While these areas are not the bulk of its adherence qualities, they certainly are an aid to keeping tiles in place. Removing these will certainly help. Not removing them will certainly hurt, in other words…

As a test, try and insert something underneath a tile, preferably a screwdriver whose flat edge can get below the tile and work its way further underneath. It might be worth the attempt to try and lightly hammer the tool under. It may just be that one might have to literally break a tile to get underway. Sacrificing a tile will give the ability to stick a wider chisel underneath and provide more surface area for prying. Once this is done, continual working of the tool under the tile should get on to the point at which the tile can be lifted out. Unfortunately, this will require repeating until the effect is achieved completely.

Removing floor tile is hard work. This may one one of those projects for a professional owing to the flying debris and general brutal strength required to pull it off.

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