Remove floor tiles — HomeGraft

Check for asbestos, protect pipes and cables, then safely lift and clear old floor tiles down to a clean subfloor.

FT-01Check if the tiles could contain asbestosFloor tiles laid before 2000, especially vinyl or thermoplastic tiles and the black bitumen adhesive under them, can contain asbestos. Ceramic tiles themselves are safe, but check any old adhesive or backing underneath. If you're not sure of the age or type, don't drill, cut, sand or lever anything up yet - get a sample tested by a UKAS-accredited lab or call a licensed asbestos removal contractor. Only move on to the next step once you know the floor is asbestos-free.

RULES

1 each · Asbestos test kit (postal, UKAS lab)

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KNOW THE RULES

Asbestos in old vinyl or thermoplastic floor tiles and their adhesive is covered by the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012. If in doubt, get it tested before you disturb it.

FT-02Clear and protect the roomMove out furniture and lift any rugs. Lay dust sheets over anything you can't move, and tape plastic sheeting across doorways so dust doesn't spread to other rooms. Open a window for ventilation. You'll be working close to the floor for a while, so wear knee pads as well as your usual goggles and mask.

2 each · Dust sheets

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1 roll · Plastic sheeting roll

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1 roll · Masking tape

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1 pair · Knee pads

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FT-03Locate pipes, cables and underfloor heating before you startWater pipes, gas pipes and underfloor heating cables can run just beneath floor tiles, especially in kitchens and bathrooms. Scan the floor with a cable and pipe detector, but don't trust it completely - it can miss deep cables, pipes in metal conduit, or anything outside the normal safe zones. Find your stopcock (usually under the kitchen sink) and check it turns before you start, so you can shut the water off fast if you hit a pipe. If you have underfloor heating, or you're at all unsure what's underneath, isolate the relevant circuit at the consumer unit before you lever or chisel anything.

1 each · Cable and pipe detector

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FT-04Remove skirting or edge trim if tiles run underneathIf the tiles tuck under skirting boards or a doorway threshold trim, ease these off first with a flat bar so you don't crack tiles nearby while lifting them. Number the pieces if you plan to refit them, and store them somewhere safe.

1 each · Flat pry bar

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FT-05Score the grout linesCut through the grout around each tile with a grout rake, or a diamond-blade angle grinder for a faster job. This breaks the seal between tiles and gives your chisel a starting point. This step makes a lot of fine dust, so keep your mask and goggles on.

1 each · Grout rake

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1 day · Angle grinder with diamond blade (hire, per day)

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FT-06Break out one starting tilePick a tile near a wall or doorway and break it with a club hammer and bolster chisel, working from the centre outwards. This gives you a gap to get the chisel under the neighbouring tiles. Wear gloves - broken tile edges are sharp.

1 each · Club hammer

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1 each · Bolster chisel

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FT-07Lift the remaining tilesWorking from your gap, angle the bolster chisel under each tile and tap it with the hammer to snap the adhesive bond, then lever the tile up. Work in one direction across the floor so you're always levering against solid tiles rather than thin air. Bag broken tile as you go so you're not walking on sharp debris.

1 pack · Rubble sacks (pack of 10)

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FT-08Strip old adhesive - method depends on the subfloorOn a solid concrete or screed floor, chisel off old adhesive at a shallow angle so you don't gouge the concrete; a floor scraper or an SDS drill with a wide chisel bit speeds this up over a large area. On a timber subfloor (floorboards or chipboard), go more gently - the adhesive layer is usually thinner, but old nails or screws can be hiding underneath, and heavy chiselling can split boards or damage pipes and cables running between the joists below. If you feel a pipe or cable through the floor, stop and work around it by hand.

1 each · Floor scraper

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1 day · SDS drill with wide chisel bit (hire, per day)

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FT-09Inspect and make good the subfloorWith the floor clear, check for damp patches, cracked screed, or soft, springy timber. Deal with any damage now - it's far easier to sort before new flooring goes down than after. Vacuum thoroughly to pick up grit and dust before moving on.

1 day · Shop vacuum (hire, per day)

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FT-10Clear up and dispose of the wasteBag broken tile and old adhesive into small rubble sacks you can actually lift - it's heavier than it looks. Most councils won't take large amounts of tile waste in general rubbish, so check with your local council or take it to a licensed waste site. Finish with a last vacuum and a damp wipe over the floor.

1 pack · Rubble sacks (pack of 10)

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1 load · Local tip disposal fee

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