Removing thinset

Removing thinset is dusty work and the fine particles seem to get on everything. It is also a good idea to wear a dust mask or respirator to avoid inhaling the dust as well as protective eye gear. Before removing the tiles, let’s have a look at how tiles are usually fixed to the slab. The tiler will use a mortar-like mix called “ thinset ” to glue the tiles to the slab.

The tiler does this by mixing the thinset, then using a specially shaped trowel to spread it onto the slab. The most effective and easiest way to remove mastic or thinset from a concrete floor after the tiles have been removed. It made removing thinset a breeze. If we had known how EASY it was to remove the thinset using this Floor Maintainer we would have probably just done it ourselves and saved the $5we had to pay to have the work done for us. After removing the thinset, I will have less than depth to work.

If I were re-tiling the entire surface, I could work with the mud bed and layer it as thick as needed. Needless to say, removing those tiles (and the associated thinset) was much harder than I anticipated! One tile down, many more to go! Getting the tiles off, was tough, but we managed to do that in an afternoon. I use a wide cold chisel and hammer to remove the tile.

I found it was much more productive to cut through the grout lines first with an angle grinder and diamond blade. Do I have to remove the thinset before. Sweep the thinset dust and debris from the flooring with a stiff broom. This thinset removal bit was very fast at removing the thinset from a plywood subfloor without damaging the plywood. It took about an hour to remove square feet of thinset and the bit looks virtually unused.

Remove smaller sections or light coatings of thinset from porcelain tiles with a wet sponge. Dampen the offending area of thinset and let the water soak into it. With a damp sponge, not a WET one, you can clean off the overage without adding to much water to the thinset below.

The Last of the Tile’hicans. It was a little sad to remove the last one from it’s place. I originally thought the task of removing tiles from concrete was a dirty, thankless job but now that I’ve moved onto separating the Thin-Set from the concrete I have a renewed respect for the folks who do this sort of work for a living. Thinset isn’t a glue, but rather a type of mortar.

The right tools and methods make the job a little easier. Because most tiles are installed over a bed of thinset mortar, which is cement-base when you remove them from an old installation there will always be mortar attached to the backs. Best way to remove thinset from plywood underlayment.

I need to take up the tile and remove the thinset. If you are looking for a tool to remove thinset from your floors, check out the DustRam system by Jack King. Once set, it can’t be simply scrubbed off or dissolved. The removal of thinset from concrete floors can be a messy, dirty process without the proper equipment and knowledge.

As you can tell from the picture to the left, this is a great before and after image of what to expect when your thinset has been removed safely and dust free! The cement-based adhesive sometimes remains on surfaces after tile removal. Removing the thinset provides a clean, smooth surface to work with when installing new tile. If you decide to remove the tile, you may find some stubborn areas of thinset that cannot be removed using traditional methods.

If you pat the area with a hammer it will break the bond with the tile. How to remove thinset off a wood subfloor. Just make sure you take your time (its not a race) when replacing the old with new, do your best to remove old thinset or debris and get a solid layer of set before laying your choice down.

Also you can use putty knives to help lift some old tiles. Put the tile in place and twist it back and forth to spread the mortar. Tap the tile down with a flat board and mallet. Remove excess mortar that squeezes into the joints.

Let the mortar cure, then grout and seal the joints. Once we’d completed the thinset removal , I spent a good 1. He took up the old thinset with a cheaper version of what I think Jonathan was talking about. Which, in conclusion, is the best way to do it.

This is known as thinset and it is made with the help of fine sand particles, cement and a small portion of water holding agent. In this article, we will have a deeper insight on how to remove thinset. But, it is possible to remove it. Discuss Removing tiles and thinset to lay new ones in the DIY Tiling Forum area at TilersForums.

Thin set mortar is a type of Portland cement, and therefore will be extremely hard and brittle when removed. Solvent and cleaning supplies will not remove the thinset from the tiles, so you must grind the thinset off. Actually, you should be flat-troweling the floor with thinset as you set tile to get an adequate bond.

This forces thinset into the tiny pores of the concrete for maximum adhesion. I use an SDS chisel with a wide blade for thinset removal. The BRUTUS Grout Removal Tool with Durable Carbide Tips is designed for easy removal of unwanted grout, thinset or mortar during tile installations. It includes a comfort grip handle and scraping edges for longer tool life. Some of the less corrosive grout cleaners, which usually are sulfamic acid based.

And you could even try vinegar (dilute acetic acid).