Removing Floor Tiles Without Breaking Them

[DavidI]

I am in the planning stages of remodeling my kitchen. The layout of the cabinets is going to change because I am removing a cabinet peninsula which will expose an area underneath that is untiled. The current tile is about 20 years old, a multi-colored slate look porcelain, that I only have a few of...certainly not enough to cover the exposed area. I have searched long and hard for a match, but simply cannot find them. I considered creating some type of pattern with a contrast tile, but that won't work either.
One lesson learned, buy a full box of extra tile from the same lot in case something like this occurs in the future!

I have an area in my entryway that has the matching tile (17" x17"). I am considering attempting to remove these tiles without breaking them for use in the kitchen. I have found some videos on YouTube and it seems like it is possible.

I will use a different tile for the entryway, so no problem there.

Any suggestions and/or ideas to remove the matching tiles without breaking them?

[Bugsinrugs]

If the existing tiles are loose or the grout is cracking then you might and I mean might have a chance. I doubt you will be able to get just about any tile up without chipping or breaking them.

[flatbutt]

I have tried that twice in my day but never accomplished it. I'm no pro nor do I have training in such a craft but if they're properly installed, they're meant to stay put. A pro may have a technique to share.

[KFC911]

I seriously doubt it .... if they were properly installed. I would also think that larger tiles like you have greatly reduces the odds....

But good luck! I have been known to be wrong

Edit: Do you have extras in the entry.... If you can break a few and still have enough.... that matters too.

[911_Dude]

If they are properly installed, it will be impossible. I wouldn't waste my time trying.

[GH85Carrera]

Originally Posted by 911_Dude

If they are properly installed, it will be impossible. I wouldn't waste my time trying.

Yep, unless you have some leftover from the initial installation, now is the time to get a all new floor. It is a dirty nasty job to get tile off of the floor.

[Evans, Marv]

What Glen said. Time to upgrade the floor and leave the entry way alone.

[911 Rod]

Sledge hammer

[expatriot98]

I'd try an oscillating tool with as long of a blade as I could find. Go all the way around the perimeter of a tile and just hope the thin set in the center will let go. Throw some water on it to keep the dust down. Worth a try

[KFC911]

^^^ I'm picturing a 17x17 tile that you can only access 1, maybe 2 sides.... I know the 12x12s I've installed ain't coming up that way .

[Bugsinrugs]

What is the substrate? Cement floor? If the tiles are set on plywood( unlikely) then take a sledge and bang on the floor near the tiles. Sometimes that can break the bond but I’m betting they are on a mortar bed at minimum.

[911 Rod]

Originally Posted by Bugsinrugs

What is the substrate? Cement floor? If the tiles are set on plywood( unlikely) then take a sledge and bang on the floor near the tiles. Sometimes that can break the bond but I’m betting they are on a mortar bed at minimum.

Yes, but then how do you get the thinset off the back of the tile?

[GH85Carrera]

Back at our last house Mrs. Carrera wanted new tile in the entryway, and we were doing new tile in the kitchen to replace Berber carpet the builder had put down. I was elected the manager of tile removal for a small entryway area. Eye protection, ear protection and a sheet of plastic to seal off the area and reduce dust too boot. I will never be doing that job again. It resembled real work. At our current house, we replaced the tile in the bathrooms and the laundry room by using a checkbook. Really easy. The workers came in with a small jackhammer and the appropriate blade and made short work of old tile and it turned it into rubble and dust. We have a concrete slab foundation house.

[Bugsinrugs]

Originally Posted by 911 Rod

Yes, but then how do you get the thinset off the back of the tile?

Grinder but also not easy

[gregpark]

You just gotta get lucky. I've pulled up literally tons of tile mostly with a roto hammer. Better chance of full tiles popping up off a slab floor. Every now and then most of the tiles will pop up full, sometimes just a few out of a hundred. For removing thin set off the back I'd use my Fein oscillating saw with a scraper blade

[Baz]

Seems like a pry bar - one with a longer tapered pry - would be very useful once you get enough room to get it under the tile. Then maybe lightly hammer it forward and see if you can get any to pop up.

Here is a tool that might also be useful:

51 in. Carbon Steel Blade Ice Scraper

[rwest]

It would help to remove the grout from between the tiles- they make a hand tool and I think you can get one that goes in a sawzall to speed it up.

After that it will be luck.

I would break one up to get some room to work and then gently use a thin chisel and lightly tap under the tile.

[gregpark]

Sometimes a big spud bar or a chisel and hammer works but they involve a forceful shock which can crack a tile. A roto hammer with a pry blade attachment is more gentle with a slightly better chance of tiles popping up intact. No sure way however you try. It all depends on how well the tiles are adhered.

[DonDavis]

Paging trekkor.

If there's a way, he would know.

My guess is it'll be really tough sledding.

[look 171]

I think its a waste of time trying. Some of the tiles will come out successfully then there's the other half that will be needed to be in one piece. We have torn up lots of tiles, our favorite is an air hammer with a wide chisel blade attachment, or a roto hammer in hammer mode to get under there. What will you do with 50% good tiles and the other crumbled up ones? If the tile is very important, keep in mind that only half will survive unless its a bad tile job or cheap thinset. Good luck with the demo.