Demolishing Kitchen Tiles. Need Some Equipment Advice?

BonnieBurger on 30/04/2022 - 17:30
Last edited 01/05/2022 - 15:48

Just recently helped my parents with their old home renovation of their kitchen. And when I went there to help, I noticed that they were working in a bit of an unsafe worksite. Now, I had to work during of the week and didn’t really know their progress until last Thursday. While my dad was jackhammering the concrete as well picking up the rubble and placing it to a cardboard box. I’m not very experienced and have no idea if this is the best way or a typical way do doing this, but would like some advice on any equipment or things I should get to make things more easier?

I’ve already gotten a better face mask and face shields for them, but wondering if I needed any other things?

Btw pics of the work

https://imgur.com/gallery/wJ2F4Nr

Update*

Done! Kitchen will apparently be done by someone else but the dining room is all finished. Bought a square shovel and broom stick which helped a lot. MVP would be the shovel which was able to pull up the wire mesh in an instant. Thxs guys 4 ur suggestions. Pic of final work.

https://imgur.com/gallery/zyCzXR7

General Discussion

Comments

  • aragornelessar on 30/04/2022 - 17:38

    Are there any tiles left to do? Bunnings has this guide

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULmBQxWtSlI

  • barge-in hunter on 30/04/2022 - 17:46
    +1

    Honestly, that doesn't look overly unsafe. Agree that good face masks, goggles and ear protection are a must though.

    If you're really lucky, that tile glue might come up with a broad, flat scraper like this one. I'd recommend getting one anyway, as they're great for a final clean of the concrete.

    Just on cardboard boxes - they won't carry much weight, so I'd recommend buckets or plastic tubs to carry the waste out.

  • onetwothreefour on 30/04/2022 - 18:15

    I've taken up slate tiles before from tongue and groove flooring, it was so dusty and such a pain in the arse to do.

    I used a combination of my hammer drill with a spade bit and a hammer and chisel.

    Edit - I also used an angle grinder with a grinding disc but that just made even more dust.

  • StonedWizard on 30/04/2022 - 18:26
    +1

    How old is the place? As it could have asbestos depending on age. That will change what equipment you need.

    Generally, you want to dampen/moisten the area to try and minimise dust.

    If they're floor tiles, a rotary hammer drill (Ozito from Bunnings is cheap) with a spade bit, will make it much easier.

    Wall tiles, can be removed with a cold chisel and hammer to strike it.

    • King Tightarse on 02/05/2022 - 19:33

      Yes 100% take care with asbestos.
      Those floor tiles are probably OK but I would take a lot of care with the kitchen wall tiles - generally anything up to late 80's will have asbestos behind tiles in wet area walls (kitchen, bathroom, laundry)
      One are most people overlook is lino: innocent looking stuff that can have up to 80% asbestos in it and pure asbestos backing - take care with your asbestos safety with your reno!!!

  • iamherenow on 30/04/2022 - 18:33
    +1

    It's hard work and a noisy, dusty job. What are you suggesting is unsafe?

  • SF3 on 30/04/2022 - 18:43
    -1

    Insurance?

  • Stewardo on 30/04/2022 - 18:48
    +1

    Watering can to wet the rubble
    Square mouth shovel
    Stiff broom
    Dust mask/respirator
    Gloves
    Safety glasses
    Rubble sacks to carry the rubble to the skip

  • onetrickpony on 30/04/2022 - 19:19

    Looks fairly regular to me. A few extension leads and power tools laying around, so a good idea to test your safety switch at the switchboard. Look for a button or tab with a T, or Test written on or alongside it, press it and it should trip. You'd be surprised how many of these are never tested, and don't work.

  • knasty on 30/04/2022 - 20:23

    We had reo mesh in the tile base across multiple rooms. That was fun….we used a long pry bar for breaking and a shorter one to get in under the tiles. Was good fun….

  • thatonethere on 30/04/2022 - 21:22

    Doubt it would have asbestos. However dust of any sort isn't good for the lungs so hopefully wear a good mask. Goggles for eye protection ETc.

  • saltypete on 30/04/2022 - 22:05

    A good spade bit is your friend. Ear, eye, dust and knee protection.
    The job looks like par for the course. Removing ceramic tiles and glue is a horrible job, but inch by inch it gets done. After a while you get the angle just right to belt the glue off and it all moves along.
    Don’t go the grinder, it’s not really any faster, but it’s horrible for dust.
    The better you leave it, the better job of laying can be done.

    Best thing you can do to help your folks is to put in a few hours on the tools for them 😀 Maybe byo hammer drill and speed it along.
    Enjoy.

  • chrisn26 on 01/05/2022 - 08:34

    There could be asbestos in very odd places, even the flooring. Since asbestos is a fire retardant, the kitchen is usually a place where it gets used.

    Btw glue under the tiles could be softened with a heat gun, you just hit the surface of the tile and it will transfer the heat down to the glue. Then you just pry the tile off. Probably the biggest grief is removing the interfacing layer which is probably also glued down.

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