Ripping up a floor dilemma

[MikeW]

Some of you may remember I recently put up a request to identify some tiles that are on my kitchen floor (the now discontinued Dorset Wooliscroft Multiversatile) as I wanted some to finish the job that wasn't properly completed by a previous owner.

After realising the chances are very slim that I will actually find any amount of these tiles I have now resigned to the fact that I will need to rip the floor up and start again with something different.

The trouble is, as an amateur DIYer this isn't something I have any experience in.

My father in law reckons that ripping them up is the last thing I want to do as he says it will take weeks of chiseling to get the concrete beneath clean of all the tiles and hardened adhesive and into a position where I could stand any chance of laying any new ones.

Is he right or is he being a bit over the top with his prediction? I don't doubt him but I'm not entirely sure he is speaking from experience, more making an educated guess and/or trying to save me some aggro bless him!

Any advice from those who are experienced however would be very welcome!

All the best

Mike

 

[Andy Allen]

You need to get an SDS drill with a chisel bit. Then latex the floor once its all up.

Have you thought of employing a tiler for the job?

 

[MikeW]

You need to get an SDS drill with a chisel bit. Then latex the floor once its all up.

Have you thought of employing a tiler for the job?

Hi. No I couldn't afford to. I'd do it all myself. If it is possible to get the concrete back to a workable state I won't need to. It's just a question of how difficult and time consuming it's going to be?

Cheers

 

[Dan]

It's not usually that messy on floors. SDS as said. Then I used to use a house brick to rub over the floor, that part is a bit dusty. Gets the rough bits off. Then latex it.

 

[Old Mod]

. Then I used to use a house brick to rub over the floor, that part is a bit dusty. Gets the rough bits off. Then latex it.

Someone's gonna hit u with that brick soon! Haha 😀

 

[Andy Allen]

Hi. No I couldn't afford to. I'd do it all myself. If it is possible to get the concrete back to a workable state I won't need to. It's just a question of how difficult and time consuming it's going to be?

Cheers

The tiles should come up fairly easy Its the adhesive that will be a pain...do-able but very time consuming hence why I just latex over it..

 

[MikeW]

Cheers guys.

What does the latex do? Not heard of its use on floors before.

 

[Old Mod]

It's a product commonly know as SLC (self levelling compound)
It's a cement based product mixed with water, usually with added fibres, that can be used to level a floor.
This will flatten your adhesive covered floor ready for tiling as long as the extra height isn't an issue.
There are a fair few to choose from, it'll depend on your area what's available.
Tilemaster & Weber are the two most commonly used SLC's by guys on the forum it seems.

 

[MikeW]

Oh right, yes I know what SLC is. Didn't realise it contained latex hence why I didn't have a clue... I doubt I'll have much height to play with so probably won't be able to go down that route.

 

[Old Mod]

Once u've tackled a bit of the floor and you know what you're dealing with, u can make an informed decision then.
Good luck!