Removing Bathroom Floor Tile Mortar

Chisel through tile surfacing and the mortar bed in a small section using a cold chisel and hammer.

Removing bathroom floor tile mortar.

Demoing tile mortar metal mesh in the bathroom walls when we say we re tackling a room it s usually a figure of speech but in this case it s pretty close to being a literal description of our big bathroom demolition weekend check out this post for more info on why we re doing it and this post for our plan for the space. However if they were set in mortar follow these steps for proper tile flooring removal. Chisel through the mortar until the underlying substrate is reached and identified. Even modern tiles often use lead glaze which creates lead dust during removal.

If the old tile was laid on underlayment cut through the underlayment and mortar but not the subfloor. Test old tiles and mortar for asbestos and if asbestos is found hire a professional to remove the tiles safely. Break up the first tile with a hammer. Gently use a scraper or razor blade to work unusually thick areas.

Pay special attention to areas that may have excess mortar such as grout lines on a tile floor and grout joints on a tiled backer board. Pry up the sections with a pry bar. After you have chipped away at the tile and mortar cut the old subfloor into small sections with a circular saw equipped with a carbide blade. Hit the tile in the center with a hammer.

Spray the area with the vinegar and wipe down with the sponge.