How to Remove Ceramic Floor Tile Under Kitchen Cupboards
When removing ceramic tile during a remodeling job, you need to make sure that you've gotten rid of all the old tile, including any floor tile under kitchen cupboards. This process involves removing the countertop and kitchen cupboards so that you can get at the ceramic tile. Once the tile is exposed, the removal process is the same as for ceramic tile on any other type of floor. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Safety equipment (goggles, gloves, work clothes)
- Plastic sheeting
- Pry bar/crowbar
- Hammer
- Rotary drilling tool
- Grout saw
- Chisel
Instructions
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1
Clear out the room where you will be removing the tile of as much furniture as possible. Removing ceramic tile is always a messy job, and dust usually gets everywhere. Cover doorways and entrances to other rooms with plastic sheeting.
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2
Remove anything that may be on top of the kitchen cupboards.
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3
Remove the top from the kitchen cupboards. Look underneath the countertop on the inside of the cupboards and remove any screws holding the countertop in place from beneath. Tap on the underside of the countertop with a mallet to try to loosen the countertop. When you have loosened the countertop, slip a prybar or crowbar in between the countertop and the top of the cupboards. Pry the countertop off the cupboards.
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4
Remove any molding running along the base of the cabinets by prying it away with a pry bar, crowbar or hammer.
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Remove any screws holding the cupboards to each other and to the wall behind. The cupboards may also be anchored to the subfloor beneath. Use the prybar to wedge the cupboards away from the wall and each other. Pull the cupboards out of the way.
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6
Use a grout saw or rotary drilling tool to cut away the grout between the ceramic tiles. Remove as much grout as possible to make it easier to pry up the tile.
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Hold a chisel at a 45 degree angle where the tile meets the floor. Tap on the end of the chisel to drive it between the tile and the floor. Move around the tile to different sides, if needed, to help wedge it off the floor. Continue until the tile pops off the floor.
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Continue the process of sawing away the grout between the tiles and prying them off the subfloor with a chisel and hammer until you have removed all the ceramic floor from underneath the kitchen cupboards.
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Tips & Warnings
Always use caution when doing construction work, and wear the proper safety equipment, including goggles, gloves and long-sleeved work clothes.
