Success at removing ceramic tiles from floors depends on the material the tile was fastened to at installation. In a very old house, the tiles might have been glued directly to a cement subfloor, making removal very difficult. In a newer property (built within the last 40 years), the ceramic tiles were probably fastened to a lightweight cement backer board, nailed to the timber subfloor. Follow these steps for effective removal of ceramic tiles attached to cement board.
What You'll Need:
75mm (3-inch) stiff-bladed scraper or filling knife
Small flat-headed hammer
Flat garden spade
Steel crowbar
Portable angle grinder
Wet/dry vacuum cleaner
Wraparound safety goggles
Heavy leather gloves
Long-sleeved shirt or jacket
Half-face dust mask
Step 1: Start at the Edge of the Floor
Prepare to remove tiles from a floor edge that adjoins carpet, vinyl tiles, or other surfaces. Place the scraper under the edge of a tile, and tap it with the small hammer to lift off a tile. Depending on the strength of the tile adhesive, the cement board may come free along with the tiles.
Step 2: Remove the Tile Grout
Pry between the tiles with the scraper to pulverise the grout, so you can more easily pop the tile from the backing board. If the grout is very hard, use the angle grinder to grind out the grout and release the tile more easily.
Step 3: Continue to Remove Single Tiles
Once you have removed the tile grout and a few tiles, slip the scraper under each tile with the handle as close to the floor as possible. Tap the knife handle sharply with the hammer. The tile may break up or lift off all in one piece. Continue to remove tiles until a section of cement board about 20 cm by 15 cm is exposed. Avoid striking ceramic or porcelain tiles with the hammer, as they will shear into razor-sharp flaked pieces.
Step 4: Remove the Cement Board with Tiles Attached
Once you have cleared tiles off an area of cement board, break it up with the hammer so you can see the floor joists. Insert the flat garden spade under the cement board and use it as a lever to remove larger areas of the board with the tiles attached. Stop from time to time and vacuum the area with a wet/dry vacuum cleaner to avoid inhaling cement and tile dust. Move the spade to the left or right side of the floor joist as you encounter the nails used to attach the cement board. The bigger the gap you can create between the cement board and the floor joists, the larger the area of tile you can remove at once.
Step 5: Remove the Nails from the Cement Board
Use a claw hammer or a steel crowbar with a nail slot to pull the nails out of the cement board. You can then remove these fragments from the floor joists and dispose of them.
Step 6: If the Cement Board was Screwed Down
Use a power drill with a screwdriver bit to back the screws out of the cement board pieces, then remove and discard them. Vacuum the room thoroughly to remove dust from all surfaces.
Source: www.DoItYourself.com
