3 easy ways to remove tile mortar thinset from cement floor

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3 жыл бұрын

Similar chisel to what we used for our rotary hammer here (make sure it fits with your model): amzn.to/3jrbsUr
Today we will show you 3 ways we remove tile mortar thinset from cement or concrete flooring. If you have any questions, leave comments below and we would love to answer them. We cannot be held responsible for any problems during your repairs or installations and cannot guarantee that this fixes your problems. Please take caution and wear appropriate safety gear. If you do not have experience with this type of project, please seek help from a professional. Any injury, damage or loss that may result from improper use of the tools, equipment, or from the information from this video is the sole responsibility of the user/viewer and not from Big Al Repairs.
This video may contain a paid promotion. As an Amazon Associate we may earn from qualifying purchases from the links provided.

Пікірлер: 112

@acorte52 2 жыл бұрын

thank you for making it look do-able Im a 70 year young lady that loves diy. The tiles are coming off easily. and I hate the floor enough to enjoy the process! Haven't attacked the thin set yet but Im game!

@BigAl-1 2 жыл бұрын

That is so awesome. Thanks so much for your comment! Hopefully you subscribe to Big Al Repairs! Please give us an update.

@sydneyrogers9697 Жыл бұрын

70 year old here too. Been doing this work since I was 15. I keep promising to stop as my body just hurts everywhere now but getting a tradie to help is a nightmare. I always end up doing it myself in frustration. This tile/thinset removal is one of the worst and most dangerous jobs for sure.

@fireflykite 3 ай бұрын

My back patio is made of indoor tile set with thinset, and it's an insane slipping hazard. I've been wondering how get rid of the mortar, thank you for showing how simple it is!

@BigAlRepairs 3 ай бұрын

thanks for the nice comment! Good luck with your project!

@prayinggrandmothers734 Жыл бұрын

New subscribers November 20 2022… a much needed video.. thank you 🎉

@BigAl-1 Жыл бұрын

@Praying Grandmother's. First of all thanks for all your prayers. And then thanks so much for your comment and subscription. Best of luck with your next DIY project.

@natelambson9677 3 жыл бұрын

Keep up the cool videos. You guys are Rockstars!

@BigAl-1 3 жыл бұрын

@Nate. Thanks so much for your comment!

@kevindoyle5768 15 күн бұрын

Thanks for showing how to remove thinset. Ive been in the market for a hammer drill for drilling into cement for awhile-good to know it can be useed to remove thinset too! Appreciate you taking the time to share these techniques tips !

@BigAlRepairs 14 күн бұрын

Good luck with your project! We would love to hear how it goes!!

@carsonhymas2229 3 жыл бұрын

Always good to have more options for removing the pesky thinset!

@BigAl-1 3 жыл бұрын

@Carson. Thanks for your comment! Best of luck with all your DIY projects!

@BigAlRepairs 3 жыл бұрын

For real!

@clintfarnsworth6386 3 жыл бұрын

Great video! Plan on removing my title this weekend. Thanks for sharing!

@BigAl-1 3 жыл бұрын

@Clint Farnsworth. Thanks for your comment and best of luck with your tile removal!

@MsLevesque7 2 жыл бұрын

I am a 63-year-old woman and pretty resourceful. But after watching this I think I will get my 27 yr old son to do it for me! I have a 20 x 10 lanai that has a concrete pad that the previous owners put house tiles on, it is right before the pool and when the tiles get wet it’s like an ice-skating rink, not safe and I notice some of them are starting to pop up. Thank you for your video!

@BigAlRepairs 2 жыл бұрын

THanks for the nice comment! I hope it helps! Slippery tiles can be so dangerous! Good luck with your project

@sydneyrogers9697 Жыл бұрын

70 year old here. The tiles are easy but the thinset is a nightmare. It's a dangerous and dirty job but if you do it a little at a time it will be OK.

@theexcelguy101 3 жыл бұрын

I love this, you all do great work.

@BigAl-1 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for your comment!

@roypoulos1378 2 жыл бұрын

Good stuff. Thank You

@BigAlRepairs 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for taking the time to comment! We appreciate nice comments! I hope you have a successful project and good luck in the future!

@lindseylambson9669 3 жыл бұрын

Great ideas!

@BigAl-1 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for your comment!

@lindlamb8691 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks!

@BigAl-1 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the comment Lind!

@truthlove1114 2 жыл бұрын

I want to try this appreciate you posting this

@BigAlRepairs 2 жыл бұрын

Give it a try! Good luck! Thanks for the comment!

@truthlove1114 2 жыл бұрын

@@BigAlRepairs it was a typo sorry-I ment I really appreciate the post!

@BigAlRepairs 2 жыл бұрын

@@truthlove1114 THANKS!

@mpierrela 3 ай бұрын

Very instructive

@BigAlRepairs 3 ай бұрын

thanks for the nice comment!

@carlosnava8485 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing. Which method would your recommend if thin set is over a wood floor? Once removed I plan to lay down laminate planks.

@BigAl-1 2 жыл бұрын

I would use the power chisel. I think you would be less likely to damage the wood floor. Best of luck and let us know how it turns out.

@hymasfamily667 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you

@BigAlRepairs 3 жыл бұрын

You're welcome

@mountainbiker44 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks

@BigAlRepairs 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching and for the comment. GOod luck with your projects!

@jamesbond4633 6 ай бұрын

Fastest and easiest way is to use a grinder with a vacuum attachment to your vacuum cleaner. I just did this and it is the fastest method. The methods shown here take a lot of muscle power!!!!

@BigAl-1 6 ай бұрын

Thanks so much for the suggestion. I will have to try that next time. Best of luck with the next DIY project and hopefully subscribe to Big Al Repairs.

@jackievandergrift583 5 ай бұрын

😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮

@jamesbond4633 5 ай бұрын

@@BigAl-1 You can even spray bottle some water first on the thin set to keep the dust down.

@jamesbond4633 5 ай бұрын

@@jackievandergrift583LaLaLaLaLaLaLaLa LAAAAA!!!!!!!

@BigAl-1 5 ай бұрын

@@jamesbond4633Thanks for sharing. I will definitely use a spray bottle next time. Best of luck with your next DIY project.

@JacobParkYusuk 2 жыл бұрын

Was going to remove tiles from my living room floor... but not anymore. Thanks.

@Fnberg744 2 жыл бұрын

Lol. It's work that's for sure

@devenbodiford4041 2 жыл бұрын

Don’t let the demo scare you. You can lay over tile. Just don’t lay over hardwood. If you layover hardwood with a float floor then it will buckle the hardwood underneath. If you don’t want to lay over the tile because of the height difference then just demo the tile (which is way easier with the right tool) then prep over the thinset with silk until the ground is smooth.

@devenbodiford4041 2 жыл бұрын

T-molding are used for separating different Materials but also to cap off the height difference so you don’t stump your toe and hide the height difference better.

@sethharper6544 2 жыл бұрын

😂😂

@vanderhoff66fu 2 жыл бұрын

Can I use a saw all with a bit for this project? What tool are you using the electric one?

@BigAlRepairs 2 жыл бұрын

we are using an SDS rotary hammer, you can find them on amazon here: amzn.to/34FUAFq Exmples of thinset bits for the rotary hammer drill: amzn.to/3Lke43d

@chiclosoor4386 4 ай бұрын

Firs put some very hot water let it for 20 minutes than vacuum and than removed with a rotohamer and a wide scraper

@BigAl-1 2 ай бұрын

Thanks so much for the update. I hope it works out well. Have a great day!

@gabrielortiz612 11 ай бұрын

I'm doing this in a hotel they had me remove tile in the kitchen and bathroom and has that set and they gave a push blade and hammer and 4 Inc Chisel taking me 3 hrs for a to take off 4 dame Squares and there about a lil more then half a foot a Is square

@BigAl-1 10 ай бұрын

Gabriel, Thanks so much for your comment! That is crazy that they expected you to remove the tile in that manner. Hopefully they paid you well. Best of luck with your next DIY project and hopefully you subscribe to Big Al Repairs.

@jegramat 2 жыл бұрын

Each time I look up a San Angelo bar I keep coming across a digging bar. Is that one and the same thing???

@BigAlRepairs 2 жыл бұрын

That is probably it! It is a very versatile product and we use it for so many things! San Angelo Bar is a long, straight bar and can be used for digging and prying of dirt and large rocks. We have also used it to demolish tree trunks and other things like that. In this case it worked great at removing the tile mortar thinset.

@jegramat 2 жыл бұрын

@@BigAlRepairs Thank you!

@BigAlRepairs 2 жыл бұрын

@@jegramat No problem! Have a good one!

@devenbodiford4041 2 жыл бұрын

That thinset was very week for a scraper to actually work that well. Better tip is buy a wide thinset bit for your jack or use a angle grinder with a vacuum.

@BigAlRepairs 2 жыл бұрын

It has worked for us on multiple projects. Thanks for the tips though.

@YagwitOG Жыл бұрын

I'm on day seven w/a grinder. I HATE mortar. This is the dumbest thing I've ever had to do in my life.

@mennims Жыл бұрын

@@YagwitOG thanks, I feel less alone.

@hymasfamily667 Жыл бұрын

It is such a pain! I’m so sorry! Makes you think twice about installing tile haha

@joewaz100 Жыл бұрын

Lol I'm dealing with this now.. I've tried both the man bar and scraper.. My wife is on the way to lower to pick up a wide chisel... I'm not sure what they used on this tile but it's a pain.

@BigAlRepairs Жыл бұрын

It can be so time consuming! Were you able to find more success with the wider chisel? That is how a lot of my projects go... I start the project then I am headed to Lowe's ten minutes later ha

@joewaz100 Жыл бұрын

@@BigAlRepairs I ended up using a metal polishing machine with a 40grit wheel lol.. Had to wear a respirator but it actually was extremely efficient

@BigAl-1 Жыл бұрын

@Krattle. The thinset we removed had only been in for a few months. Thanks so much for your comment and best of luck with your next DIY project.

@codchi Жыл бұрын

What floor scrapper is that

@BigAl-1 Жыл бұрын

The big black scraper is called a San Angelo Bar. The silver one is called a steel floor scraper and there are many different models.

@vulturnuszan 10 ай бұрын

dam, the thinset on my floor is not that easy to get off, much thicker too i think

@bllawlk 10 ай бұрын

Yeah. I am using a hammer and a chisel and still it doesn't come out that easily. I wish I could just scrape it off like in the video.

@sunshinegypsea 2 жыл бұрын

What’s the price for a professional to remove thinset from concrete with a concrete grinding machine ?

@BigAl-1 2 жыл бұрын

It would mostly depend on where you live. It is best to call a company in your area and get a bid. Good also be good idea to get three or four bids so you can get the best price.

@BigAl-1 2 жыл бұрын

@@AZDESERT2024 Thanks for the information.

@TheMrsoulkitchen 2 жыл бұрын

This is the part of my job that makes me want to quit

@BigAlRepairs 2 жыл бұрын

I completely understand! I cringe when I think about removing tile. Thanks for the comment!

@TheMrsoulkitchen 2 жыл бұрын

Im trying to find the best way to do it

@BigAlRepairs 2 жыл бұрын

@@TheMrsoulkitchen It takes time but these options work well.

@dziegan Жыл бұрын

Where you from uganda, uzbekistan ?

@Picwajzzz Жыл бұрын

zimbabwe blyat

@sibenchley6494 Жыл бұрын

thinset in Europe is ten times stronger than that. I'm having a total nightmare removing it from my concrete floors.

@BigAlRepairs Жыл бұрын

Sometimes it can be such a pain! Especially if it has been there a long time. I hope you had success

@sibenchley6494 Жыл бұрын

@@BigAlRepairs long story short, any other time I'd simply use self levelling cement. I went over.floor 3nd time around with hammer drill. holes on floor, floor still looked rough, had to get floor cent to fill in holes (many at edges where foundation broke off) so whole job probably took ten times longer. but we live and learn. my advice to anyone doing this with strong tile cement. Use self levelling concrete and save a hell of a lot of hassle 😎

@BigAl-1 Жыл бұрын

@@sibenchley6494 Thanks so much for sharing. That makes total sense.

@jasmines.6325 Жыл бұрын

I need to remove a small piece without damaging the rest...

@BigAl-1 Жыл бұрын

@Jasmine. I would just us a hammer and chisel if you only have to remove small pieces. Thanks so much for your comment. Best of luck with your next DIY project. Thanks again and hopefully you subscribe to Big Al Repairs.

@jasmines.6325 Жыл бұрын

@@BigAl-1 thanks^_^

@carsonhymas2229 2 жыл бұрын

Make sure you’re wearing your masks for sure!!! #diy #flooring

@BigAl-1 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much for your comment and advice. Best of luck with your next DIY project.

@amun-ra52706 2 жыл бұрын

Why was I asked to use bravo stripper to remove thinset 🤦🏽‍♂️

@BigAl-1 2 жыл бұрын

That is a great question. Maybe it is to help make it easier. I've never used that product so I don't know how well it works.Thanks so much for your comment. Best of luck with all your DIY projects.

@abundantharmony Жыл бұрын

I literally just watched a guy throw water on it, waited 5 mins, and scraped it up with an industrial scraper blade like it was cake batter. I though it was bs but what do I know. I know the first day I started construction I hammered this garbage up with a mallet and chisel. What gives? Could we literally just throw water on it, wait a bit, and take it right up?

@BigAl-1 Жыл бұрын

@Abundant. That is a great question. I did add a little water just to keep the dust down. It would be worth a try. Thanks so much for your comment and question. Best of luck with your next DIY project. Thanks again and hopefully you subscribe to Big Al Repairs. Please let us know if it worked.

@victoriadessouki6444 Жыл бұрын

I saw that too and tried it yesterday and it absolutely does work!

@abundantharmony Жыл бұрын

@@victoriadessouki6444 What the heck lol.

@BigAl-1 Жыл бұрын

@@victoriadessouki6444 Thanks for letting us know. I will definitely do that on my next mortar removal project!

@xavier6694 Жыл бұрын

Thank you I will be doing this tomorrow morning had dust every where today

@charlesshifflett5449 2 жыл бұрын

I have tried all 3 and they won't touch the thinset on my floor. I have tried to hire tile workers to do the job and they all just say good luck. Only way I have found his a hammer and chisel with a 24x24 room I am probably looking at a year project to do this. You and others should not mislead others as to an easy solution to this

@BigAl-1 2 жыл бұрын

We didn't realize that we were misleading people. Just like any job some can be much easier and some can be much more difficult. Best of luck and please give us an update.

@BigAlRepairs 2 жыл бұрын

Also, two of the tools we are using are pretty much just larger chisels... you can literally see the thinset being removed with our chisels so I am not sure how we are misleading others if we are showing the thinset being removed with our tools. Did you lay this thinset you are trying to remove? How long has it been sitting? Some resources say you can use hot water to loosen the thinset but I have not tried it so I cannot recommend it. You could also try a grinder, but again I have not used this before so I cannot say it works. The hammer drill and chisels we use have worked for us every time.

@shawnamansfield4510 Жыл бұрын

@@AZDESERT2024 if you dont mind spending $90 bucks the grinder will do the job, I am currently removing what seems like concrete mortar on a concrete slab from 20 x 25 room and I prefer using the rotary hammer and chisel bit. Puts out lots of dust but the video does a perfect job describing everything you need or should use while doing it as well as some of the different tool options available to do the job. Thanks for the video!