How Do You Cut Out Existing Ceramic Floor Tile?
Ceramic floor tile is usually mortared to a wood or cement board underlayment, then grouted with another form of mortar to fill the spaces between the tiles. These tiles are installed to stay put. If you have to cut out one or a number of floor tiles because they’re damaged, the trick is getting them out without damaging the surrounding tile. One approach is to remove the grout first, then carefully chisel up the tiles. Set up the drill with a thin carbide grinding disk. Cut away the grout, pressing the side of the wheel against the surface as it spins and working down into it. Cut out the grout from all four sides of each tile that must be removed. Vacuum out the spaces to remove all dust and debris. Put the tip of your chisel into the open space where the grout was, setting it at the exposed base of the tile. Tap at the chisel with your hammer, working your way around the whole tile. Continue until it pops out. Repeat for each of the remaining tiles that have to come out, gradually c
