“What is the best method for removing thick thinset from tiles on a slab without creating a mess?”
Asked by Ella Wallace 
7 months ago
Last Updated: April 24, 2024
Taking up tiles in our house, which is on a slab, is quite the task. Do you happen to know the best way to get rid of thinset without making a huge mess? It’s pretty thick in some spots!
Wishing you all the best with the messy task.
Need to know the square footage? You have the option to rent a SDS rotary hammer with chisel, it gets the job done.
For that, you’ll need a wide blade chisel and some patience. If you want, you could also consider renting a hammer drill with the wide chisel bit to make the process faster. Just make sure to explain your project to the rental person.
I opted for using a grinder.
Try using a pry bar to gently lift and remove them.
Wide air chisel
Check out the demo of an awesome hammer drill with a wider chisel bit. You can rent or buy one and set it to chisel mode.
Sander
‘s sander just isn’t going to cut it. You’ll need a grinder.
If the area is small, you can use a cup grinder with a dust shroud connected to a shop vac for better results.
For larger areas, you have the option to rent stand-up units at nearly any rental center. It’s much simpler than being on your hands and knees with a grinder
No way, it’s a disaster period 🤷🏻♂️ if you take shortcuts, you’ll be sorry
Oh, and by the way, if you decide to lay tile on the slab, any cracks present could eventually show up in your tile and lead to cracks over time.
How many tiles do we need? Are we tiling the entire house? You might want to consider renting a jackhammer, chisel, and a cart to make the job easier. If it’s just a bathroom, a hand chisel could work but using a small rotary hammer drill would definitely make things easier.
They’re lying on a slab, using a jackhammer will result in significant damage 🤦🏻♂️
Lol I’ve done this on many slabs. Have you ever used a jack hammer? You have to jack hammer straight down with a point to penetrate the slab. And good luck if you didn’t score the concrete a few inches using a saw. A jack hammer with a flat chisel will remove thinset. You’re nuts, man. I don’t think you’ve ever used a jack hammer.
Are you seriously recommending a jackhammer for a DIY project and calling me the idiot? 😂 Maybe consider using a hammer drill instead. I’m starting to think you might not be the brightest bulb in the box.
Can you believe suggesting a hammer drill? OP doesn’t need to drill a hole in concrete. Haha. These pictures are for OP. YES, YOU SHOULD RENT A JACK HAMMER. Here is the cart, and the next picture shows the JACK hammer you should use.
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Use a rotary hammer with a chisel attachment. Make sure the fans are facing outward in the windows. Use plastic sheeting to section off the area from the rest of the house. ‘t forget to have a shop vac handy. You have the option to rinse it with water, but the benefits might not be significant
: BINGO! You got it right! Just remember to wear a face mask, N95 or better, to stay safe from inhaling dust
: Rotary Hammer or Ugly Stick and Air Compressor – it all comes down to whether you prefer working on your knees or not
Has the 100% correct answer
Do you think you could pass me the hammer drill?
Could you please check out this link for the product specifications of the Husqvarna PG280 11-inch high-speed grinder? Thanks!
We used a demo hammer and a concrete dust vacuum we borrowed from Home Depot. I did the breaking, while my wife operated the vacuum at the chisel point. It wasn’t completely dust-free, but it was a huge improvement compared to doing it without any equipment (which I’ve done before). I’d estimate it was at least 90% dust-free.
Explosive
Removing tile will be messy no matter what, but a rotary hammer drill with a chisel can make the work easier although it’s still not a walk in the park.
Consider renting a tile removal machine for the job.
Using a steel floor scraper and angle grinder can help you remove tough mortar from the floor.
Just apply thinset to the remaining area until it’s all leveled out! 😂
Using an air chisel simplifies the task.
I tried out a concrete grinder. It’s similar to a rotary sander, except it uses grinding blocks instead of sandpaper. It’s commonly used for smoothing out concrete surfaces. However, it can also remove thinset quite efficiently. Just keep in mind that it creates a significant amount of dust.
You know, found that using a wet dry vac for grinding is handy, or setting up a box fan with a furnace filter to trap the dust (which actually works quite well).
Can someone explain why people are posting without revealing their identity?
Ph Smith – Most likely… People don’t like being called out for not knowing how to do something. The internet is full of trolls who just leave rude comments
Chipper with power
There’s no way to get it done neatly!
One option is to lay flooring directly on top of it. This will raise the floor and eliminate the need for chiseling
You might want to hire a jack hammer
Consider hiring a contractor
Best of luck!
Boom goes the dynamite!
Consider using a chipping gun for the task.
Try using a rotary hammer with a wide spade bit. It’s simple and effective.
Consider using a Hilti flexible chisel.
Purchase a new house.