How to Remove Tiles on a Concrete Backer Board From Subfloors

Tile demolition projects are never easy in the physical sense, because no matter what method you use there is some aspect of manual labor involved. There are a few things you can do and a few tools you can use to help make the project a little easier, and when it comes to removing tiles on top of concrete backer board less labor is involved as long as the board is still in good condition. This allows you to preserve the underlayment so you can use it again for the next installation.

Hammer
Tile chisel
Pry bar
Floor scraper
Hammer drill with chisel end
Safety glasses
Ear plugs
Leather work gloves
Long-sleeved shirt
Dust mask

Instructions

- 1
  Remove the tile with a hammer, chisel and pry bar for small areas, such as entryways that only have a few tiles to be removed. Start in a grout joint, and guide the chisel into the joint and underneath the edge of the tile while you tap it with the hammer. After it is under the tile, pry upwards so that the tile pops up off the concrete board. Use the pry bar to remove the adjacent pieces.
- 2
  Demolish the tile area with a hammer drill if you have a large scale project to complete. Work the chisel under the edge of tiles, and let the weight of the machine keep moving it forward while you merely hold onto it and guide the tip of the chisel down through the tile and across the installation. Use only light pressure so you don’t dig down into the concrete board.
- 3
  Remove the remaining thinset on top of the concrete board with a floor scraper. Hold the scraper so that the blade is at a roughly 45-degree angle with the floor, and apply pressure as you push it forward. The blade will cut away any leftover thinset mortar and leave only the top of the concrete board behind, ready for the new installation.

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