Tile Removal to Replace Floor

[jat143khc]

We have a 1999 Windsor 40ft DP, that has tile in the kitchen, dinning room, hall way and bathroom. There are quite a few cracked tiles and I can not match the tile. We are thinking about replacing the tile with a good quality laminate floor - the type with the cushioning on the back. I have installed flooring in stick homes before and just recently removed and replaced tile flooring in our home in NV. The difference with the motorhome is that the walls were built on top of the tile and I am not sure what to do about that. I am stuck between trying to cut the tile close to the walls - which will be a dusty mess and I an not sure I can get close enough with the grinder - and simply trying to break the tiles close to the wall and pulling as much loose tile out from under the walls as I can. If anyone has experience with this I would really appreciate your advise.
Thanks
Jeff

[Drifter]

When I removed the carpet in the bedroom so I could match up the pattern for new tile in the bedroom of our coach, I used masking tape over the tile that was to be taken up and used a hammer and to break up large pieces and a chisel for small ones by the walls. Your coach most likely will not have epoxy grout, so the tile may come a little bit easier.

[jimkate]

About all you can do is break the tiles that protrude out from under the wall. You've got to leave the tiles under the wall for support, or put something else under the wall. It's a messy, dusty job, but it's not all that bad to do.

[lancer212]

It's too bad you couldn't match the tile you have now to just replace the cracked ones. Because I think that tile looks very good on your floor. But, it's not a bad idea to go with the laminate flooring. Removing tile can be a messy job but its not that difficult.

[rpasetto]

Removal of tile is significantly more of a task than carpet removal. The latter comes out in big pieces, the only detail work you'll then have is to pull staples out of the subfloor that do not come out with carpet, then vacuum a bit.

With tile removal, there's a lot of debris to remove once the tile is taken off. You'll then have to scrape the subfloor to remove the tile adhesive or thinset cement. Depending on what was used this could be time consuming. I am not trying to talk you out of taking tile out, just be prepared for a job that's much more than the carpet you removed. Good luck.

[Martind4]

Rather than use a grinder to undercut the tile along the wall, I've found a diamond sawblade works well with a lot less dust.

I found mine at Menard's (4 or 4-1/2") with the same size center hole as my angle grinder. It doesn't have "teeth" like a regular sawblade so I feel safe using it without a guard. The blade I bought was a replacement for a cheap tile saw and is normally used wet, but it works just as well dry cutting.

[biggerjer]

Please don't forget to post pictures of the finished project, it sounds like a great idea to me. Some of the present day laminate is very beautiful and easy to care for. If you know some one with one of those multi tools like the Rockwell they can be very helpful in preparing the floor and removing the tile. Harbor Frieght sells one cheap but I don't know how good they are.

[texnet]

When I repaired a part of our floor I found the multi-tool with a diamond tile cutting blade worked great! You can get right up to the wall as the blade is offset from the multi-tool. Home Depot, Lowes, Northern Tool and others carry them. I bought mine at Harbor Freight for about $30.00. To keep the dust down have someone keep the nozzle of a shopvac running along with you.

[jat143khc]

Thanks Martind4
I appreciate the advise - I think that is a good idea because the grinder wheel is wide and makes a lot of dust.
Jeff

[jat143khc]

Thanks texnet,
I was looking for a good reason to buy a multitool - did you use the blade that is for grout removal? I can not find one that specifically listed for tile cutting.
Thanks
Jeff

[Ramblin]

One thing I can mention is if you have slides that go over the tile, make sure they are on rollers and not glides, else they will scratch up the laminate.

[plumberfrank]

another thing you might want to consider is while your cutting use a spray bottle w/water to help also keep dust down. good luck.

[texnet]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jat143khc Thanks texnet, I was looking for a good reason to buy a multitool - did you use the blade that is for grout removal? I can not find one that specifically listed for tile cutting. Thanks Jeff

Yes, I used the grout removal blade. Worked great for cutting tile!

[sdennislee]

Post updates. I too have cracked tiles and would love to replace the tile with laminate.