3 easy ways to remove tile mortar thinset from cement floor

[@acorte52]

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]

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

[@sydneyrogers9697]

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.

[@MsLevesque7]

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]

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

[@sydneyrogers9697]

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.

[@kevindoyle5768]

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]

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

[@clintfarnsworth6386]

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

[@BigAl-1]

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

[@carsonhymas2229]

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

[@BigAl-1]

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

[@BigAlRepairs]

For real!

[@fireflykite]

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]

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

[@prayinggrandmothers734]

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

[@BigAl-1]

@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]

Keep up the cool videos. You guys are Rockstars!

[@BigAl-1]

@Nate. Thanks so much for your comment!

[@JacobParkYusuk]

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

[@Fnberg744]

Lol. It's work that's for sure

[@devenbodiford4041]

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]

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]

😂😂

[@carlosnava8485]

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]

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.

[@brentongeorge3237]

Good vid, p.s you sound like Kevin Costner

[@truthlove1114]

I want to try this appreciate you posting this

[@BigAlRepairs]

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

[@truthlove1114]

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

[@BigAlRepairs]

@@truthlove1114 THANKS!

[@jamesbond4633]

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]

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]

😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮

[@jamesbond4633]

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

[@jamesbond4633]

@@jackievandergrift583LaLaLaLaLaLaLaLa LAAAAA!!!!!!!

[@BigAl-1]

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

[@theexcelguy101]

I love this, you all do great work.

[@BigAl-1]

Thanks for your comment!

[@jegramat]

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

[@BigAlRepairs]

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]

@@BigAlRepairs Thank you!

[@BigAlRepairs]

@@jegramat No problem! Have a good one!

[@lindlamb8691]

Thanks!

[@BigAl-1]

Thanks for the comment Lind!

[@mpierrela]

Very instructive

[@BigAlRepairs]

thanks for the nice comment!

[@devenbodiford4041]

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]

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

[@YagwitOG]

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]

​@@YagwitOG thanks, I feel less alone.

[@hymasfamily667]

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

[@lindseylambson9669]

Great ideas!

[@BigAl-1]

Thanks for your comment!

[@joewaz100]

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]

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]

@@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]

@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.

[@roypoulos1378]

Good stuff. Thank You

[@BigAlRepairs]

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

[@vanderhoff66fu]

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

[@BigAlRepairs]

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

[@sunshinegypsea]

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

[@BigAl-1]

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]

@@AZDESERT2024 Thanks for the information.

[@gabrielortiz612]

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]

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.

[@hymasfamily667]

Thank you

[@BigAlRepairs]

You're welcome

[@abundantharmony]

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]

@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]

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

[@abundantharmony]

@@victoriadessouki6444 What the heck lol.

[@BigAl-1]

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

[@xavier6694]

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

[@TheMrsoulkitchen]

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

[@BigAlRepairs]

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

[@TheMrsoulkitchen]

Im trying to find the best way to do it

[@BigAlRepairs]

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

[@mountainbiker44]

Thanks

[@BigAlRepairs]

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

[@solarpanel9085]

Thanks!!!!

[@BigAl-1]

Solar, thanks so much for your comment and best of luck with your next DIY project, and hopefully you subscribe to Big Al Repairs.

[@codchi]

What floor scrapper is that

[@BigAl-1]

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]

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

[@bllawlk]

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.

[@sibenchley6494]

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

[@BigAlRepairs]

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

[@sibenchley6494]

@@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]

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

[@dziegan]

Where you from uganda, uzbekistan ?

[@Picwajzzz]

zimbabwe blyat

[@chiclosoor4386]

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]

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

[@jasmines.6325]

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

[@BigAl-1]

@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]

@@BigAl-1 thanks^_^

[@carsonhymas2229]

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

[@BigAl-1]

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

[@BlaXiCaN52706]

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

[@BigAl-1]

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.

[@charlesshifflett5449]

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]

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]

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]

@@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!

[@MRB1199]

Hands down worse thing ever

[@BigAlRepairs]

Removing thinset? Yes, it is a pain

[@castrosbullykennel7385]

I know your back was done after this

[@BigAlRepairs]

definitely not ideal for my back