Removing Ceramic Tile Adhesive From Wood Floor

Removing adhesive residue from wood floors can be extremely difficult.

Removing ceramic tile adhesive from wood floor.

Luckily various methods can be tried to get the cleanest removal possible. In some cases the only way to tear out the ceramic tile is with heavy equipment such as a jackhammer or air chisel. Water heat solvents and sanding are all choices that can be used depending on what adhesive was used and what flooring lies beneath. Then the adhesive that was holding it in place must be.

This can be accomplished using a pry bar to peel off the larger chunks. This will expose the plywood underlayment. Using a hammer and a chisel if necessary repeatedly strike the thinset in an effort to loosen its bond with the subfloor. Chip out a single row of tile down the length of the floor and another row across the width with the intersection of the two rows somewhere in the middle of your floor.

Since not all will come off there will be an uneven layer of adhesive left behind. Usually when you chisel the tiles off most of the thin set mortar will be removed with it. Remove ceramic tile from plywood if the tile is stuck to plywood the strategy is a little different. As you loosen the thinset use a metal scraper to remove it from the floor.

Remove the grout around single tiles with the oscillating tool. Always wear safety glasses when removing ceramic tile. Take care not to hit the floor too hard as damage to the subfloor could occur. When tile is removed it is frequently a two part process.

Use a ball peen or masonry hammer and cold chisel to tap the pieces free. Pry upwards on the broken piece of.