Removing ceramic flooring tile and backerboard that is screwed down to the sub-floor. Removing ceramic tile and backerboard that has been nailed to the sub floor is much easier than screwed down.

Described below are the steps it takes for removing the ceramic tile and screwed down backerboard.

Necessary Safety Equipment

When it comes to removing ceramic tiles there is high risk of eye and body injury from flying bits of ceramic tiles. Consequently it is critical that you wear wrap-around safety glasses, or preferably goggles, along with work gloves and long sleeve shirts and pants.

Sometimes the tile will easily pop up, and other times it will fracture and splinter.  In this situation where the ceramic tile fractures and splinters we need to reposition the chisel underneath the remaining tile piece and continue to work the tile up off of the backerboard.

Watch this video to see demonstration of removing ceramic tile without damaging the surround.

Dim lights Embed Embed this video on your site

This video demonstrates the removal of thin set mortar and remaining pieces of ceramic tile.

Dim lights Embed Embed this video on your site

This process continues over the entire ceramic floor tile area, occasionally stopping to pick up loose tiles and sweep away some of the debris.

Removing Screwed Down Backerboard

Once all of the ceramic floor tiles are removed the work on the backerboard begins.  This is where time becomes involved.  A screw gun is used to remove as many of the screws as you can from the backerboard. It is important to get as many as possible, particularly around the edge of the backerboard.

Some of the screws may not be visible as they are hidden under the remaining mortar/mastic material. By using the hammer and striking it on the backerboard many times, it will loosen up some of the mortar/mastic material to expose additional screws.

Once as many screws are removed as possible, it is time to pry up the backerboard from the sub-floor.

Now that the backerboard is removed, any remaining screws will be fully exposed on the sub-floor. Remove these with the screw gun.

Finally, dispose of the old ceramic floor tile and sub-floor, and sweep and vacuum the area.

If the sub-floor has significant damage due to the screw holes or nails patching them will be required and applying a floor leveling compound if necessary.

Below is a video that we found online about the installation of backerboard.  Pay attention to the amount of screws used and the labor involved to remove.

Dim lights Embed Embed this video on your site