Tile flooring is durable, typically even during the end of its lifecycle. Removing tile flooring can be tough. All the tiles and adhesive need to be completely removed before crews can move on to other remodeling tasks. If tile removal takes too long, it will directly affect the profitability of your contracting project. The longer it takes, the more you’ll spend in time, labor and costly delays of other tasks. But you also can’t rush this job. If the glue wasn’t removed correctly, it could ruin the new floor. Equipment that speeds up tile flooring removal not only helps save time and money, but it can make the project less physically demanding.
The right tools can make removing tile floors easier and faster, but how do you choose the right one? Factors such as project scope, site limitations, regulations and budget all play a role in determining the ideal equipment.
The following tips will help you choose the right equipment that speeds up tile flooring removal for your unique project.
- Read more about flooring removal and other floor care tips.
Why Removing Tile Flooring Takes a Long Time
Removing tile from a subsurface is physically demanding and time-consuming. Tile must be safely broken up and removed, along with all the grout and tile adhesive, until there is a smooth, clean subsurface.
A smooth subsurface is the foundation for the new floor. So, short cuts here are likely to show up as imperfections in the final project. Subpar work can also cause costly rework and unsatisfied customers.
The challenge of removing tile floor is that every situation is different. For example, the following factors can affect how quickly the job could be completed:
- Type of Tile: Typically, ceramic tiles are easier to remove than porcelain or natural stone, and smaller tiles are easier than larger tiles.
- Type of Tile Adhesive: Cement-based adhesives, like thin-set, are easier to scrape off than epoxy adhesives.
- Age of the Flooring: Tile in older buildings may be difficult to remove because adhesives become harder over time.
- Risk of Asbestos: Floors from the 1920s through the 1990s may contain asbestos. Get help from an asbestos abatement specialist to safely remove asbestos-laden flooring.
- Learn More: Quick Facts About Asbestos in Flooring
- Other Safety Requirements: The project site must also be properly prepared to ensure safety and prevent damage during tile flooring removal. Tile shards are extremely sharp and can fly with force. Demolition can also cause a significant amount of dust. Make sure crews wear appropriate safety apparel. You also want to ensure furniture and other rooms are protected from dust.
Before beginning any project, ensure compliance with all codes and regulations and safety regulations set by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
Renting the Right Equipment Can Make All the Difference
To remove tile flooring you can use manual tools — like a ball peen hammer, chisel, pry bar and floor scraper — to chip away at the tile and grout and to scrape off the adhesives.
Manual removal is often the least expensive option in terms of equipment cost. But it requires a lot of physical strength and time on your hands and knees. These time and labor costs will add up.
Powered equipment, like a pneumatic chisel floor scaler, can do the physically demanding part of the job with ease, reduce labor costs and keep the project moving quickly.
Renting flooring removal equipment from a reliable provider can be a great way to gear up without the costs and hassle of equipment ownership. Keep these things in mind when choosing a rental provider.
What to Look for in a Rental Provider:
- A Quality Fleet of Equipment: Look for a company that provides equipment from reputable, trusted manufacturers. Ensure their fleet is well-maintained and replaced with newer models regularly so it will operate smoothly, reliably and without disruption on your project site.
- Flexible Rental Terms: A provider with flexible terms allows you to rent what you need for as long as you need it. Keep in mind that it can be more cost effective to combine several projects as a single long-term rental than several short-term rentals.
- Expert Assistance: Rental providers are knowledgeable professionals who can help you choose the right equipment and effective solutions. Choose a provider who takes time to familiarize you with the equipment, explaining control functions, safety features and daily operator maintenance requirements.
- A Focus on Safety: Safety should always be the top priority. Your rental provider should share this commitment by offering training and certification options to ensure you and your team stay safe and comply with regulations.
Rental Protection Plans: In a perfect world, accidents and thefts don’t happen. A rental protection plan offers peace of mind by ensuring you are prepared if they do. At a minimum, a basic plan should cover repair costs and provide a replacement to keep your project on schedule.
Top 4 Equipment Rentals to Speed Up the Tile Floor Removal Process
Various tools are available to speed up every step of tile removal, from breaking up tile to cleanup. You may need to use a combination of tools, manual and power, to get the job done well. If you’re looking for equipment that speeds up tile flooring removal, here are our top four recommendations.
1. Walk-Behind Floor Scrapers
A walk-behind floor scraper is exactly what its name suggests: a machine you control in front of you to break up tile, grout and adhesives. Available in various sizes, walk-behind floor scrapers can be equipped with different blades to handle a range of flooring removal tasks.
- Best For Many Flooring Removal Jobs: Compact and lightweight, walk-behind floor scrapers are ideal for tight spaces. Their versatility allows them to remove a variety of flooring materials in a single room or an entire building. Additionally, their relatively quiet motor makes them a great choice for minimizing disruptions to other occupants in the building.
2. Ride-On Floor Scrapers
A ride-on floor scraper is a machine you operate while seated, steering as a blade breaks up tile in front of you. Like a walk-behind floor scraper, they come in various sizes and can handle various tasks with different attachments.
- Best for Large Commercial Floors: Ride-on floor scrapers remove tile more quickly than any other equipment, making them essential for larger commercial and residential projects. However, a ride-on floor scraper’s size and weight should be considered. Be sure you can easily move them to the project site and the surface can support their load.
3. Pneumatic Chisel Floor Scaler
A pneumatic chisel floor scaler—also known as an air hammer, power hammer or air chisel—allows you to stand while you chip away at tile. The ergonomic design improves comfort and reduces back pain and discomfort during long jobs.
- Best for Ceramic Tile: Lightweight and nimble, it is among the most versatile tools to remove ceramic tile flooring with grout because it can be angled for optimal tile flooring removal and fitted with a range of attachments.
4. Electric Breaker with a Scraper Cart
A scraper cart transforms an electric breaker into an effective tile removing tool. Because it is small and the angle of the breaker blade can be adjusted, it is ideal for removing tile precisely in tight spaces.
- Best for Ceramic/Stone in Tight Spaces: A scraper cart is ergonomically friendly as it removes the physical strain of handling the jackhammer at low angles. It allows you to chisel away tile in hard-to-reach areas while easily controlling the machine.
Tips for Removing Tile Safely
Tile removal is a relatively straightforward task, but safety should always come first. Key concerns include sharp shards and airborne dust. If asbestos is also a concern, partner with an asbestos remediation specialist to remove it safely.
- Wear the Right Safety Apparel: Appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) includes heavy-duty gloves, knee pads, snug-fitting goggles that provide coverage without gaps and a face shield. Wearing heavy, long-sleeved sweatshirts and cut-resistant safety sleeves is also recommended. If using loud equipment, wear hearing protection. Additionally, personal respiratory protection may also be required along with specialized safety apparel for larger jobs. Always check local codes and safety regulations before you begin work to ensure compliance.
- Protect Your Wheels: If using a walk-behind or ride-on scraper, damaged wheels can delay a project and incur repair costs. To reduce the risk of damage, move the scraper in a frown-shaped (upside down U) pattern to minimize driving over broken tile. Keep debris in front of you and clear it as you go. Protect tires from glue and adhesives by sprinkling grout or simple food-grade flour over the surface. This reduces stickiness and makes cleanup easier.
- Use a Tile Box for Cleanup: A tile box is a useful attachment for a floor scraper that can help you protect your wheels and make cleanup faster and easier. Acting like a bulldozer, it allows you to push debris aside, reducing the need for sweeping and minimizing dust.
Get the Job Done Quickly with Tile Removal Equipment from Herc Rentals
The saying “time is money” holds true for most contracting jobs, including floor tile removal. It’s critical to budgets and project timelines to seek equipment that speeds up tile flooring removal.
With high-quality, reliable equipment, you can save valuable time removing tile and adhesive. Herc Rentals offers floor scrapers and chisels that will help you increase productivity and achieve beautiful results.
When you partner with Herc Rentals, you get access to the latest technology from top manufacturers. Plus, we can help your team stay focused on safety and the job at hand with equipment safety training and equipment transportation services.
Explore our selection of easy-to-use floor scrapers or call 888-777-2700 to talk to a specialist today.