Ceramic tile removal: what you need to know

1. The tile removal process

Unlike carpet or laminate, ceramic tile is bonded directly to a concrete slab or cement backer board with thinset mortar. Breaking that bond takes significant force and specialized equipment. Here's what the work involves:

• Assessing the existing floor and what's underneath it
• Removing baseboards and transition strips, if needed
• Chipping or grinding out tile and mortar with jackhammers, rotary hammers, or floor scrapers
• Removing debris and cleaning the surface underneath
• Inspecting the subfloor for damage, moisture, or leveling issues
• Preparing the surface for your new flooring

2. Dust and air quality

Ceramic tile and thinset mortar contain silica. When they're broken up, fine silica dust gets into the air. Breathing silica dust over time is a serious health hazard and can cause a lung disease called silicosis.

What you should do

• Stay out of the work area, and ideally off that entire floor of the house, while tile is being removed.
• Keep children and pets well away from the work area at all times.
• If anyone in your home has asthma, COPD, or another breathing condition, talk with your doctor before staying in the home during the work. You may want to make other arrangements for sleeping or working from home.
• Seal HVAC vents in the work area with plastic sheeting and tape so dust doesn't spread through your heating and cooling system.
• After each workday, air out the space with open windows and fans if the weather allows.

3. Noise and vibration

Tile removal is loud. Jackhammers, chipping hammers, and grinders create noise and vibration you'll feel throughout the house, especially on the same floor as the work.

• Noise near the work area during chipping can reach 85–100 decibels.
• Vibration can make items on shelves and walls shift or fall. Please move fragile items near the work area ahead of time.
• Work happens during weekday business hours, in line with local noise rules.

4. How we protect your home

5. What we might find underneath

Once the tile is up, the subfloor can reveal problems that weren't visible before. We look for warning signs at your estimate, but some conditions only show up after the tile is removed. Common ones include:

• A cracked or damaged concrete slab that needs patching or leveling
• Moisture damage, mold, or mildew in or around the subfloor
• Uneven areas that need grinding or self-leveler before new flooring goes down
• Leftover thinset mortar that's hard to remove cleanly
• Older adhesives or materials that may contain asbestos (see section 6)

6. Asbestos awareness

Homes built before 1980 may have asbestos in floor tiles, adhesives, or underlayment. Asbestos materials in good condition that are left alone generally aren't a risk, but disturbing them during removal can release fibers into the air and create a serious health hazard.

7. How you can help before we start

• Clear the work area of all furniture, rugs, and personal belongings.
• Take down or secure fragile wall hangings, artwork, and shelf items nearby.
• Make sure the work area is easy to get to, with a clear path out for debris.
• Plan for children and pets to be out of the home during active work.
• Tell us about any known water damage, past repairs, or other concerns with the floor.
• Make sure the electricity and water we'll need are accessible.

8. How long it takes

It depends on the size of the area, the type and thickness of the tile, and what's underneath. As a general guide:

Your written estimate will include the expected timeline for your project. Unexpected subfloor conditions, weather, or material delays can change the schedule, and we'll let you know right away if that happens.

9. After the tile is out

Once the tile and mortar are removed and the subfloor is prepared, we'll walk through the area with you before installing your new floor. We'll show you the condition of the subfloor and anything we found, confirm next steps, and answer any questions about materials, timing, or care.