How to replace a tile?

[Wills.WindowsAndWheels]

So i've done this a couple of times (replaced a broken tile in the house)...and it turns out fine but im thinking there is probably a quicker way.

Here is what i do...

I bust out the old tile (fairly quick on that process).

Secondly (the time consuming part) i have left over thin set left on the floor where the tile was...of course i need to get this back down to level...so what ive BEEN doing is taking an angle grinder and grinding it down real easy till its nice and smooth...thing is that it makes a big dusty mess! So i was hoping for some input on that part of the job.

Lastly i put some thin set/grout (serves as both is what the tub says) on the tile with a V notch trowel and then set the tile and then spread in the grout and wipe it clean with a damp sponge...again this WORKS but i just want to make sure im doing it properly...soooo if any tile gurus want to chime in here and give me a little more info on the best way of doing this, id really appreciate it

thanks all

 

[jhelrey]

That is how I would do it... I would use a diamond grinding wheel which doesn't take long. Yes, messy but quick.

 

[Wills.WindowsAndWheels]

That is how I would do it... I would use a diamond grinding wheel which doesn't take long. Yes, messy but quick.

Diamond grinding wheel?

 

[JimDon]

have wife hold shop vac nozzle while you grind!

 

[Wills.WindowsAndWheels]

have wife hold shop vac nozzle while you grind!

lol, 25 single and lovin it my friend!

 

[Toolfool]

Get a segmented diamond blade for your grinder. Thoroughly clean out your shop vac filter. Duct tape the vac hose to your grinder so that it's in position where the dust is being thrown. Grind away. You may have to clean the filter halfway through the job, thinset dust clogs them quickly, but it does a pretty good job of minimizing the mess.
The diamond blade is also the easiest way to remove the broken tile. Just make cuts corner to corner and chip out from the middle. Least chance of damaging surrounding tiles. And use the duct tape/vac trick for the tile too.

 

[Wills.WindowsAndWheels]

Get a segmented diamond blade for your grinder. Thoroughly clean out your shop vac filter. Duct tape the vac hose to your grinder so that it's in position where the dust is being thrown. Grind away. You may have to clean the filter halfway through the job, thinset dust clogs them quickly, but it does a pretty good job of minimizing the mess.
The diamond blade is also the easiest way to remove the broken tile. Just make cuts corner to corner and chip out from the middle. Least chance of damaging surrounding tiles. And use the duct tape/vac trick for the tile too.

Sounds like a cool tip. I usually put a little water in the bottom of my wet/dry whenever sucking up dust/sawdust etc to minimize dust coming back OUT...that wont hurt anything will it?

Do you have a link to a diamond blade that you think would work well...never used one so one is the same as the other to me

When you say make cuts corner to corner you mean sort of make an X right across the tile to segment it into 4 pieces and chip those out?

 

[remfab]

You are doing the right thing by getting all the old thin set off the subfloor. You do not mention what size tiles and if the tiles are floor or wall tiles. Depending on the size of the tiles determines the notched or v trowel. usually small tiles(4") on walls require v trowel. I have never used a v trowel for the floor. Installing a 12" floor tile for example, would require a 1/4 x 1/4 trowel. Larger tiles would use a deeper grooved trowel. Use good thin set and I have never used a thin set/grout mix, they are not the same.

 

[jhelrey]

http://www.google.com/search?um=1&h...891l2983l0l3106l6l5l0l0l0l0l259l930l0.1.3l4l0

 

[Wills.WindowsAndWheels]

You are doing the right thing by getting all the old thin set off the subfloor. You do not mention what size tiles and if the tiles are floor or wall tiles. Depending on the size of the tiles determines the notched or v trowel. usually small tiles(4") on walls require v trowel. I have never used a v trowel for the floor. Installing a 12" floor tile for example, would require a 1/4 x 1/4 trowel. Larger tiles would use a deeper grooved trowel. Use good thin set and I have never used a thin set/grout mix, they are not the same.

Sorry should have been more specific, these are 12x12 flooring tiles. What type of trowel (link?) would you suggest?

http://www.google.com/search?um=1&h...891l2983l0l3106l6l5l0l0l0l0l259l930l0.1.3l4l0

Wow...lol

 

[Wills.WindowsAndWheels]

You are doing the right thing by getting all the old thin set off the subfloor. You do not mention what size tiles and if the tiles are floor or wall tiles. Depending on the size of the tiles determines the notched or v trowel. usually small tiles(4") on walls require v trowel. I have never used a v trowel for the floor. Installing a 12" floor tile for example, would require a 1/4 x 1/4 trowel. Larger tiles would use a deeper grooved trowel. Use good thin set and I have never used a thin set/grout mix, they are not the same.

Also the stuff i was using is Mapei Adhesive/Grout (what the tub says) from lowes.

 

[shoot summ]

A carbide rasp in a multi-master type tool would sling less dust.

 

[MrMark]

I would try the stiff scraper with my Bosch Multi-X first. If that didn't work I would try the chisel bit in my rotohammer second. Then I would try some kind of relatively sharp hand scraper. If all these failed I would go with the diamond cup wheel on the grinder.

 

[Toolfool]

When you say make cuts corner to corner you mean sort of make an X right across the tile to segment it into 4 pieces and chip those out?

Yes, X right across the tile. And NOT a diamond grinding cup, a segmented BLADE. The cup will not do both jobs, the blade will. I'll look for a link (I usually buy from Master Wholesale).
I never tried water in the vac, so I don't know what that would do. I think the filter would still clog and reduce the suction.

4" blade for $15.97 (will last for years for your use) http://www.masterwholesale.com/mwistore/display.php?RecordID=1139428692

 

[Wills.WindowsAndWheels]

Yes, X right across the tile. And NOT a diamond grinding cup, a segmented BLADE. The cup will not do both jobs, the blade will. I'll look for a link (I usually buy from Master Wholesale).
I never tried water in the vac, so I don't know what that would do. I think the filter would still clog and reduce the suction.

4" blade for $15.97 (will last for years for your use) http://www.masterwholesale.com/mwistore/display.php?RecordID=1139428692

Sweet man ill bookmark that. So does that store mostly sell flooring stuff or other things as well?

 

[Steves32]

You can buy the blade at Home Depot or Lowes. Takes up the thinset like butter. Wet the floor- it will cut down on dust.

 

[Wills.WindowsAndWheels]

You can buy the blade at Home Depot or Lowes. Takes up the thinset like butter. Wet the floor- it will cut down on dust.

I like your avatar Thats how i feel in the morning with some people...scratch that, i feel that way about some people all times of the day