Indoor Tile Removal in Durham Region
Tile removal takes out existing ceramic or porcelain tile and the thinset or mortar bed underneath, prepping the subfloor for new tile, hardwood, or another finish. It's more involved than it looks, since older tile is often set in a thick mortar bed rather than a thin adhesive layer.
Hero photo coming soon
What's included?
- Removal of existing tile, thinset or mortar bed
- Subfloor assessment once tile is out
- Disposal of removed material
- Subfloor prep for the next finish, whether tile, hardwood or another material
Before & after
Before/after photos coming soon
How does it work?
- 01
Assessment
We check how the existing tile is set (thin adhesive vs. thick mortar bed), which changes how removal is approached.
- 02
Removal
Tile and the setting bed underneath are removed down to the subfloor.
- 03
Subfloor check
The exposed subfloor is assessed for damage, level and moisture before anything new goes down.
- 04
Prep for next finish
Subfloor is prepped to whatever standard the next flooring material requires.
What do clients say?
Durham Stairs — 5/5 on HomeStars · View profile
Individual review quotes pending — none supplied yet
Related projects
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Frequently asked questions
Why does tile removal take longer than removing carpet or hardwood?
Older tile is often set in a thick mortar bed rather than a thin adhesive layer, which is significantly more labour to break up and remove, and increases the chance of subfloor damage during removal that needs repair before a new finish goes down.
Can you tell how tile was installed before starting?
We can often tell from the tile's age and a small test area, but the full picture — especially mortar bed thickness — sometimes only becomes clear once removal starts. We'll flag anything that changes the scope as soon as we see it.
Do you install the new floor as part of the same job?
Yes, tile removal is commonly paired with a new tile or hardwood installation as one combined project, though we also take removal-only jobs where another trade or a future project will handle the new finish.
Is the subfloor always damaged after tile removal?
Not always, but it's common enough that we check for it every time — a mortar bed removal in particular can chip or gouge a subfloor, which needs patching or leveling before new flooring goes down.
How messy is tile removal?
It's one of the dustier and noisier removal jobs we do, since breaking up tile and mortar involves demolition tools rather than hand removal. We protect surrounding areas with sheeting and contain debris as much as the job allows.