How to Replace Flooring Without Removing Tiles
Learn how to replace flooring without removing tiles and more with this essential guide to your home flooring needs and improvements.
One aspect of a home or a rental that plays an important role not only on its overall aesthetic but on its real estate value as well is the flooring.
However, flooring can be impossibly expensive to renew and maintain. Factor that in with the square footage of a space, and it can rather easily break the bank, so to speak.
Still, with a little bit of creativity, this is a challenge that can be taken head-on without putting a big dent in your wallet. If the goal is to replace the flooring without ever removing the original tiles, there are several options that you can consider.
The first and most obvious choice is to install vinyl flooring. There are vinyl materials that are traditional and pretty commonplace but if you would like to add a little bit more style or flair to the flooring, there are also luxury vinyl options available on the market.
Vinyl is a material that is waterproof, which is a big factor as far as durability is concerned. There are two types of vinyl flooring: the sticker type and the more traditional ones which are simple peel.
It also provides a soft feeling on the underfoot so it works perfectly regardless of the existing material underneath, be it cement or a tile or stone of some kind. However, it is recommended to use vinyl tiles only indoors to lower the risk of UV light exposure, which is known to cause significant damage to vinyl materials over time.
Other options would involve the use of carpets and rugs, laminated wood, a fresh coating of epoxy resin, or even the use of artificial grass or something with a similar aesthetic. This leads us to the next obvious question.
Is Tiling Over Tiles A Good Idea?
The long and short of it is that it is doable but the rest would still depend on a handful of different variables. A lot of homeowners absolutely dread the thought of having to retile their floors because of the tedious work brought about by the said task.
Nonetheless, this shouldn’t in any way daunt you. Tiling over old tiles is extremely possible as it has also been done time and time again.
The first thing that needs to be considered is the state that the old tiles are in. If the old tiles are still more or less structurally intact and there isn’t any noticeable substantial damage or degradation, then you can go ahead with tiling over the old tiles.
However, if most of the tiles are chipped, broken, or damaged, then it would be much more reasonable to just have them removed before retiling so that it doesn’t jeopardize the overall structural integrity of the floors that are being retiled.
Retiling might seem like a daunting process but can actually be pretty exciting to take on. There are a handful of options available related to tile shapes and designs.
Moreover, it can also save bathrooms, in particular, by way of durability and aesthetic factor. Similarly, consistent maintenance of tiles prevents water damage.
Bathrooms are usually prone to steam and moisture, which, if not maintained well, might even be susceptible to molds along with other gnarly consequences.
How to Tile Over Tile Floor Video
How Hard Is It To Remove Tile Flooring?
Removing tile flooring is most definitely a physically demanding task to accomplish. It can be very labor-intensive and not exactly the type of thing that can be just DIY’d.
However, seeking professional help to remove the tile flooring can turn out to be pretty expensive as well. Hence, it all boils down to the amount of money you’re willing to shell out, as well as dedicating your time and labor in place of hiring someone else out.
Being armed with the right equipment and materials are key to removing tile flooring in case someone wants to take it on himself. One of the basic requirements would be a floor scraper, which has an angled steelhead that can strip layers off of the floor and is great for dislodging old adhesives and flooring materials.
Another essential tool is a handheld chisel, together with some high-quality gloves and glasses to protect you from debris.
What Is The Fastest Way To Remove Floor Tiles?
Tiles that are set in mastic can be removed effortlessly compared to those that are set in mortar. If you are lucky to only have to deal with old tiles that are set in mastic, nothing more than a regular floor scraper would be required.
Meanwhile, mortar is much tougher to have to deal with. If this is the case, here are a few tips that can help to remove it without breaking too much sweat.
First, start off by breaking the tiles up with a hammer. Tiles can be sharp and their broken particles can be all over the place so it would be wise to put some gloves and safety glasses on, as well as cover the floor with a drop sheet to trap the broken pieces in as they break away.
The next step is to chisel out the rest of the tile pieces that stay in place on the floor. The trick is to place the chisel strategically in the grout lines, which would then remove the old tiles in larger pieces, making for faster progress.
Lastly, it would be best to finish off with a floor scraper, by also making sure to remove all remaining adhesives and other pliable materials on the floor before proceeding with the actual retiling process.
How to Remove Tile Easily Video
Check out this article for more related flooring ideas content.
