Removing a ridiculous amount of tiles on top of tiles!!

mysterio84 · Post by **mysterio84** » Wed Mar 21, 2007 10:44 am

This may be the type of question that pops up all the time but i would really like to know what tool is best in this situation. I am currently stripping out an old bathroom, the tiles sit about 1.5 inches off the wall, maybe 2 inches in places. using a bolster chisel and hammer i set about removing the tiles. after hacking off the top tile i realised that underneath was obviously more adhesive, but then another tile with more adhesive, another tile with more adhesive underneath that!! But these several layers of tiles also sit on plaster. It took me about 20 mins to remove one tile and the other 4/5 layers of tiles and adhesive underneath.
is there an easier way to do this?i figure that i will be there forever if i use just the bolster chisel and hammer. i have removed tiles from 3 other rooms in the house and they literally fell off with the damp that has been plaguing this old house.
can anyone point me in the right direction?
thanks

Fats · Post by **Fats** » Wed Mar 21, 2007 12:23 pm

Hi Bretty, last time i removed some tiles i used something like this, they have chiselling setting and used a wide chisel. The one i used was a makita but they are abit pricey.

http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/pro ... 4&id=95230

It made very light work of the job..but then again i wasnt removing 6 layers of tiles.

Hope this helps...and good luck wih it.

dewaltdisney · Post by **dewaltdisney** » Wed Mar 21, 2007 2:19 pm

Yep an SDS plus drill with a chisel is the tool to use for this job. There is a roto stop that just allows the hammer action to work. This will sail through the job.

But: Good eye protection, mask and strong work gloves are a must. Chips fly off and the tile edges can be sharp. Accept that quite a lot of plaster will come off as well and that you will have to have it skimmed after. At least this gives you a nice surface to either paint or re-tile.

Get the cheapest SDS plus drill you can. I got a cheapy chuck away for £20 at BnQ. Still going strong

DWD

BobProperty · Post by **BobProperty** » Wed Mar 21, 2007 6:01 pm

I say exactly what DWD said. I have one of these for this sort of job and the drill cost the same or less

http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/pro ... 3&id=89391

panlid · Post by **panlid** » Wed Mar 21, 2007 6:03 pm

i use a jcb

dewaltdisney · Post by **dewaltdisney** » Wed Mar 21, 2007 7:14 pm

I know an expert tradesmen (in all matters) that would say soak in vinegar and then use a shovel to pry off

DWD

stevemastic · Post by **stevemastic** » Wed Mar 21, 2007 7:21 pm

then spray with WD40, tap with a hammer then use a hoover to get out the small tumblers

panlid · Post by **panlid** » Wed Mar 21, 2007 8:00 pm

how is the little scamp?
anyone checked lately?