Mortar is a type of cement-based paste that is usually made by combining sand, water, and cement in order to bind building blocks or fill gaps betwixt various types of stone and brick surfaces. Mortar is known to last for a longer period of time but removing it from the concrete floor can be a challenging task, whether you are getting rid of the thin set mortar or traditional mortar. Thin set is a thinner, modern variation of the paste that can be used to set tile in modern masonry work. Removing mortar is a difficult task due to the reason that it is cement based & therefore it dries like cement, however it is not completely impossible to remove it.
5 Easy Steps For Removing Mortar Bed From Concrete Floor
In order to renovate a shower or other tiled feature in your home, you firstly need to destroy an existing tile surface and the fundamental & basic mortar bed. Tiled mortar bed destruction is generally uncomplicated and easy to do process. The removal process is easy if in case the mortar bed was laid overhead building paper, due to the reason that you will need a saw if the mortar is attached directly to a plywood substrate. Always make sure to wear safety glasses, a dust mask and work gloves at the time of breaking, prying or sawing mortar. You can get rid of the tile mortar bed from concrete floor by going through the below mentioned mortar removal process carefully:
- Chisel And Hammer: First of all, edge through tile surfacing as well as the mortar bed in a small section with the help of a cold chisel and hammer. Edge through the mortar as long as the underlying substrate is reached and identified. In the majority of the cases, this will be a layer of building or tar paper affixed to the subfloor. Occasionally, especially if the mortar is thin, it may be situated overhead a plywood underlayment. If in case the mortar is directly affixed to plywood, then sawing is necessary in order to remove the mortar.
- Cut Or Break The Mortar: The next step is to cut or break the mortar away from the area all over the drain and any other structures, such as a curb, that could be harmed by the prying. You need to take utmost care in order to prevent harming the surface features, due to the reason that this could extremely affect the plumbing or framing.
- Pry Up Chunks Of Mortar: Now, Pry up chunks of mortar and tile, situated overhead the building paper, with the help of a flat pry bar or same dismantling tool as long as the entire area is free of debris. Make sure to prevent damaging the plywood subfloor. If in case the mortar is attached to plywood, cut or break out two rows of tiles as well as the mortar in the shape of a "+" having the intersection nearby to the center of the mortar bed. In case of large areas, it may be necessary to cut or break out three or four rows.
- Use Reciprocating Saw: Next, trim through the exposed plywood underlayment, however, you need to keep away from contacting the subfloor. With the help of a reciprocating saw having a wood-cutting blade, make a shallow, low-angled cut between the underlayment in each row from which the tiles as well as mortar were eliminated.
- Flat Bar: Finally, drive or push the flat bar underneath the edge of the underlayment and pry up one cut section at a time as long as the entire floor has been cleared.