How Knocking Out the Tiles?

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Locate a broken tile or section of loose grout. Look for pieces of tile that have chipped or are cracked around the edges. Another good place to start is at any spot where the grout has started coming loose. This is the spot that will be easiest to start removing the tile.

If there isn’t a chipped tile or loose grout, try to start loosening a tile at one of the ends of the floor, or hit the middle of the tile with your chisel so that it breaks. Hold a chisel underneath the loose tile at a slight angle. Try to situate the chisel under the tile at an angle of about 30 degrees so that you can easily lift it from the ground. Use a masonry chisel that’s about 1 in (2.5 cm) wide for best results.

Hit the chisel with a mallet to lift the tile from the floor. As you hit the chisel, the tile should begin to separate from the ground. Continue hitting the chisel until the piece of tile you’re working on completely breaks. The tile might not come off in one solid piece, so don’t worry if it splits and breaks into smaller pieces as you’re chipping away. A small sledge hammer also works instead of a mallet.

Continue removing the tiles using a chisel and mallet. Move on to the next piece of tile, situating the chisel under the tile and hitting it with the mallet. Repeat this process to lift the tile from the entire floor. Once you remove the first few pieces of tile, it’ll be much easier to maneuver the chisel underneath the next pieces. This process will likely take a while, so be patient and go slowly so that you don’t injure yourself.

Strike the top of the tile with the chisel if it’s not breaking easily. Place the end of the chisel right on top of the tile and hit the opposite end with the mallet. This should break the tile, making it easier for you to remove it at a new angle. Move the broken pieces of tile out of the way so that you can reach the attached pieces more easily.

How Taking out a Single Tile?

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Remove the grout around the tile with a grout saw. Grout saws resemble utility knives and are used to remove grout surrounding tiles. Hold your grout saw firmly in your dominant hand and work around the tile you want to remove. Use long strokes as you apply firm pressure to cut into the grout so the tile comes up easier. Grout saws can be purchased at any hardware or home improvement store.

Hit the tile with a hammer to loosen it. Set the hammerhead directly in the center of the tile. Lift the hammer up and bring it back down in the middle of the tile with a firm amount of pressure. This helps loosen the tile more and break apart some of the adhesive on the bottom. For larger tiles, use a 3–5 lb (1.4–2.3 kg) sledgehammer.

If your tile is smaller than 3 in × 3 in (7.6 cm × 7.6 cm) and you don’t want to damage the ones surrounding it, drill 5 holes in an X-shape through the tile with a carbide masonry drill bit. Use a hammer and a chisel on the holes to chip the tile out.

Pry up the edge of the tile with a chisel. Slide the end blade of your chisel underneath the tile and pull up on the handle to lift it. If the tile is still stuck, hit the end of the chisel’s handle with your hammer to break apart your tile. Work slowly so you don’t accidentally chip any of the tiles next to the one you’re trying to remove. If you don’t have a chisel, use the back of a claw hammer to lift and pry the tile off of the surface.

Use your chisel to scrape off the mortar. Set the chisel blade on the surface next to the adhesive mortar. Apply a firm amount of pressure to the chisel, working in short back and forth motions to scrape the mortar off. Once you’ve removed it all, use a vacuum to get rid of the residue. Make sure the surface is completely smooth or else you won’t be able to lay another tile in flat.

How to Clean Tile and Grout?

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This article details a way for tile owners to clean tile themselves. Cleaning floor tiles for the do it yourself is a difficult, but doable project if the proper steps are taken. Assemble the necessary tools. A grout brush that is made to go down into the grout while you are standing up. A hand held pump up sprayer (it does not need to be chemical resistant) A mop of some kind to remove the slurry you will create (or a wet/dry vacuum)

The proper alkaline or acid grout cleaner. Do not try to get the most aggressive acids or alkaline chemicals. Find an approved cleaner, perhaps at a local janitorial supply house. Mask areas you might be concerned with that could be harmed by chemicals. Stainless steel appliances need to be masked with plastic and taped. Carpet needs to be protected.

Sweep or vacuum area to be cleaned. Mix cleaning solution according to manufacturers directions. If you want to truly do your best you will use both an acid and an alkaline. If you have heavy grease use the alkaline first, if not use the acid first.

Apply solution to the grout joint and scrub with the grout brush. Use plenty of solution and let it dwell for at least 10 minutes, but do not let the solution dry. Add more if it is drying too fast, but keep it wet for 10 minutes at least. Your biggest advantage – beside using the correct supplies, is to let the chemical dwell. Dwell time is your friend.

After 10 minutes mop up slurry with clean water. You may also use a wet vac to remove slurry. Additional agitation with grout brush may be necessary. We suggest using microfiber mops. Repeat process if you are using alkaline as well as acid cleaners.

When your grout dries, if it is really clean, you may wish to add a sealer. We recommend a water based sealer as they are easier to work with when applying to a grout joint. Take care not to get sealer on the tile as it can form a sticky residue that will attract soil to the tile. If it is not really clean we don’t recommend you seal it because you will be essentially sealing the soil you couldn’t get off under the sealer, and if you are able to get it cleaned professionally in the future it will hamper that person’s effort. Do not use a topical, acrylic, mop n glow or any product designed for vinyl. Find an application tool to apply the sealer, and apply it to the grout only.

How Cleaning Grout in Tile Flooring?

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Try using a pencil eraser to wipe the tiles. This household trick is great for cleaning small sections of stained grout. Simply run the eraser of a number 2 pencil over the stain until it is gone. Use a clean white or pink eraser. Sandpaper or an abrasive grout tool may be more effective for stubborn surface stains.

Use baking soda. Make a paste with baking soda and water. Apply it to the dirty grout using an old toothbrush. Scrub the paste into the grout well. Wash the grout with warm water when you are finished. Most dirty grout can be brightened using this natural method. For the tougher stains, allow the paste to sit for a few minutes before you start scrubbing.

Use bleach to remove stains that are more difficult to remove on tiles. If natural methods don’t work, try a bleach solution. Mix a 75/25 solution of bleach and water if your grout is white. If the grout is colored, you will have to use plain water. Do not use bleach on colored grout as it may remove the coloring. Use a toothbrush or the edge of a sponge to clean the grout with the solution. Rinse the floor with warm water after you are done to remove all traces of bleach.

Be careful to not get the bleach solution on the tiles. While using the bleach, wear a pair of rubber gloves to protect your hands. After the floor is completely dry, carefully apply a coat of grout sealer to the grout between the tiles to prevent it from absorbing dirt in the future.

If you don’t like using bleach, you may be able to find a commercial grout cleaner that will be stronger than a natural cleaning product. However, check the label to make sure it doesn’t list bleach as an ingredient.

How Deep Cleaning Techniques?

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Mop the floor with warm water and a vinegar solution. Mix 1/2 cup vinegar with a gallon of water and proceed to mop as usual. If the floor still doesn’t look as clean as you would like, mop the floor again using fresh water and detergent.

Rinse the floor with clean warm water after you are done washing it. It is important to remove all residual soap from the tiles so it doesn’t remain on the floor to attract and hold dirt. Do not use vinegar or chemicals on marble flooring. See How to Clean Marble for information on safely cleaning stone floors.

Remove stains from tile floors. Prepare a paste using a 50/50 mixture of scouring powder and warm water. Rub the paste on the stain using a clean cloth, and then allow it to sit for five to 10 minutes. Scrub the area with a soft brush, then wash the area with warm water and a cloth to remove all remains of the paste. Repeat the process if the stain is still visible. If a spill is left to sit for awhile, it can stain your tile floor.

Clean mildew from tile floors. Prepare a 50/50 solution of water and ammonia. Scrub the area using a soft brush and the ammonia solution. Rinse the floor with clean water after the mildew is gone. Tile floors in bathrooms tend to get mildew sometimes. The best prevention method is to air out the room after you’ve showered and keep the floors dry. If mildew does accumulate, an ammonia solution should take care of it. Put on a pair of rubber gloves to protect your hands. Also, make sure the room is well ventilated.

Remove rust spots from tile floors. Put on a pair of rubber gloves to protect your hands. Dampen a clean cloth with kerosene. Rub the rust stain away using the kerosene rag. Wash the area with warm water to remove residual rust and kerosene, then repeat the process if the rust is not entirely gone. You probably won’t have to do this often, but if you do, cleaning with kerosene does the trick on rust.

How to Clean Tile Flooring?

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Tile flooring is a durable choice for kitchens, bathrooms, and other areas of the home that might get wet from time to time. With the proper care, tile flooring can look like new for years. Learn basic tile flooring care, deep cleaning techniques, and how to clean stained grout. These techniques are appropriate for both ceramic and faux tile flooring. However, don’t over clean or use too much soap, which can cause streaking or soap film on your tiles.

Sweep or vacuum the floor daily. This removes loose dirt, food crumbs and other pieces of debris that can accumulate on tile floors. Dirt that is allowed to sit in wet areas can quickly turn into hard-to-remove grime. You should also sweep or vacuum the floor before mopping or cleaning it.

Run a dry cloth duster or dust mop over the floors after they have been swept. If you have marble or natural stone flooring, make sure you use a soft broom for sweeping. A rough broom can scratch natural flooring. Mop the floor with warm water. If the floor doesn’t have stains or require heavy cleaning, running a damp mop over the floor will be sufficient to keep it clean. Cleanse the mop in fresh warm water after mopping one section of the room, and repeat until the entire floor is mopped.

You may opt to add a small amount of dish soap to the mix to pick up everyday dust and debris. For everyday shine, simply run a clean damp dusting cloth over the floor, or consider using a dry mop such as a Swiffer. Dry the floor. Whether you use water or water mixed with detergent, run a dry mop over the floor in small sections as you work across the room with your mop. This will prevent new dirt from quickly accumulating and staining the grout.

Clean up spills promptly. If you drop a glass of juice or even water, clean it up right away. The longer it sits, the more time it will have to soak into the grout. Dried orange juice and other sugary liquids also tend to become annoyingly sticky.

Clean the dirtier spills with disinfectant. If your pet has an accident or you drop raw meat on the floor, spray a disinfectant directly over the spot and wipe it up right away. If possible, limit the disinfectant to the area where the spill occurred. Strong chemicals may degrade or stain tile flooring.

How to Remove Floor Tile?

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Whether you’re doing a complete renovation or just need to replace a single tile, removing floor tiles is a relatively easy task to do yourself. If you have a smaller project, you can take out your tiles by hand. For larger projects, consider renting an electric chisel hammer to finish the job quickly. Once you remove all of your ceramic and its adhesive, you’ll have a clear and clean surface to start fresh!

Removing tile from your floor can be done with a few tools and dedicated time. By positioning a chisel under a tile, you’ll be able to loosen each one and remove the floor. Taking your time with this project will ensure you finish with a beautiful, tile-free floor. Don’t forget to wear leather gloves, a dust mask, protective glasses, and clothing that covers your arms and legs to prevent injuries.

Remove the grout around the floor tile with a grout saw. Grout saws resemble utility knives and are used to remove grout surrounding tiles. Hold your grout saw firmly in your dominant hand and work around the tile you want to remove. Use long strokes as you apply firm pressure to cut into the grout so the tile comes up easier. Grout saws can be purchased at any hardware or home improvement store.

Hit the tile with a hammer to loosen it. Set the hammerhead directly in the center of the tile. Lift the hammer up and bring it back down in the middle of the tile with a firm amount of pressure. This helps loosen the tile more and break apart some of the adhesive on the bottom. For larger tiles, use a 3–5 lb (1.4–2.3 kg) sledgehammer.

How Replacing a Small Tile?

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If your wall tile is smaller than 3 in × 3 in (7.6 cm × 7.6 cm) and you don’t want to damage the ones surrounding it, drill 5 holes in an X-shape through the tile with a carbide masonry drill bit. Use a hammer and a chisel on the holes to chip the tile out.

Pry up the edge of the tile with a chisel. Slide the end blade of your chisel underneath the tile and pull up on the handle to lift it. If the tile is still stuck, hit the end of the chisel’s handle with your hammer to break apart your tile. Work slowly so you don’t accidentally chip any of the tiles next to the one you’re trying to remove.

If you don’t have a chisel, use the back of a claw hammer to lift and pry the tile off of the surface. Use your chisel to scrape off the mortar. Set the chisel blade on the surface next to the adhesive mortar. Apply a firm amount of pressure to the chisel, working in short back and forth motions to scrape the mortar off. Once you’ve removed it all, use a vacuum to get rid of the residue.

Make sure the surface is completely smooth or else you won’t be able to lay another wall tile in flat. Smooth the floor using a floor scraper. Floor scrapers have a wider edge than a hand maul or chisel, as well as a longer handle, making it easier to scrape the floor.

Use a floor scraper to smooth out any rough patches resulting from the tile or grout removal, pushing the edge of the scraper against the floor in precise, forward motions. You can find a floor scraper at a home improvement store or online.

How Using a Hammer Chisel Remove Ceramic Tile?

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Rent a hammer chisel. A hammer chisel is an electric machine similar to a jackhammer. Many home improvement stores offer a day-to-day rental service so you don’t have to buy your own, so call a few stores and see what their daily rates are.

Some hammer chisels are handheld so they can be used on walls or floors, while others are larger and made just for floors. Pick the right hammer chisel for your job. Hammer chisel rentals usually cost around $50-$60 USD per day.

Put on safety glasses and earplugs before you start working. Since hammer chisels break apart your tiles and could send shards into the air, wear safety glasses to protect your eyes. Hammer chisels also make a lot of noise, so wear earplugs to prevent damage to your hearing. If you have a large project, wear a face mask as well to prevent dust inhalation.

Hold the end of the chisel against the edge of your ceramic tiles. Start on the outer edge of your room or wall. Hold both of the chisel’s handles so you have the most control. Set the blade of the hammer chisel against the bottom of the tile at a 30 or 45-degree angle.

Turn on the hammer chisel to break apart your ceramic tiles. Pull the trigger on the handle of your hammer chisel and push it underneath your tiles. The hammer chisel will chip away the ceramic as well as the adhesive underneath. Continue breaking your tiles until you’ve removed them all. Clear your work surface occasionally so your broken tiles don’t pile up.

How Removing Tiles by Hand?

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Wear gloves, safety glasses, and a face mask. Tile shards can be very sharp, so wear thick work gloves and safety glasses when handling them. Wear long sleeves and pants while working to avoid any cuts. Though breaking apart ceramic doesn’t produce a lot of dust, wearing a face mask will prevent you from breathing in any that does get kicked up. If you’re working on a large tile floor, wear knee pads so you stay comfortable.

 Some tiles may break apart and others may come up undamaged. Use a chisel with a wide-backed handle so you can easily hit it with your hammer. Chiseling out your tiles takes the longest amount of time, but ensures that you don’t damage anything underneath the tiles.

Use a chisel and hammer to lift the tiles. Hold the chisel with your non-dominant hand so the sharp edge is against the bottom of the tile. Hit the end of your chisel’s handle with a hammer to loosen the tiles from the floor.

Break the tiles with a hammer or sledgehammer if you don’t need to save them. Start with tiles on the outer edge of the room or wall. Use a hammer on small wall tiles or a 3–5 lb (1.4–2.3 kg) sledgehammer for larger floor tiles. Work across the whole room until all the tiles are destroyed. Wear earplugs if the sound starts to bother you. Don’t use a sledgehammer if you don’t want to damage drywall or flooring underneath your tile.

Scrape off the mortar with a chisel. Put the edge of your chisel against the mortar that was underneath your tiles. Apply a firm amount of pressure to your chisel to lift the mortar off of your floor. Hit the end of your chisel with a hammer if you cannot lift up the mortar by yourself. Make sure to remove all the mortar so the surface is smooth. That way, you can easily lay another type of flooring or wall coating on top of it.