Removing mortar and lathe from subfloor

[branimal]

i am trying to remove mortar and steel lathe ~5/8" thick from the subfloor of my bathroom. It's not the typical cement board flooring. I removed the tile already.

How do you guys recommend I remove it?

A friend contractor friend recommended an sds hammer drill with a chisel attachment set to hammer only. I'm looking at the bosch 7.5 Amp Corded 1 in. SDS-Plus Bulldog Xtreme..

I could take a sledge hammer to the floor as well.

 

[Dirtydan69]

Depends on if you want to work the sledge or let the SDS work for you.

 

[James-W]

If it were it would depend on the size of the bathroom. If it's a small bathroom I would use the sledge hammer. If it's a large bathroom, it's time for a power tool.

 

[Zippercat]

Or do you have to remove it? If you're going to just retile perhaps you could use thinset and screw down 1/2 inch cement board over the old.

 

[branimal]

Or do you have to remove it? If you're going to just retile perhaps you could use thinset and screw down 1/2 inch cement board over the old.

The bathroom floor level would go up too high for that.

 

[branimal]

If it were it would depend on the size of the bathroom. If it's a small bathroom I would use the sledge hammer. If it's a large bathroom, it's time for a power tool.

there area i'd have to sledge is 9'x5'

 

[branimal]

I picked up this SDS Plus tile chisel. I'd like to wedge under the mortar and lathe and sort of lift it up.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000WA99IW/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[bczygan]

Unless damaged, simply thinset over it.

 

[branimal]

Unless damaged, simply thinset over it.

Why? I heard the "right" way to do it is to get it down to the subfloor.


I'm willing to do the work & pay for the tool to get it right.

 

[bczygan]

Why? I heard the "right" way to do it is to get it down to the subfloor.


I'm willing to do the work & pay for the tool to get it right.

No.....

If you can't get a level surface and good base when you remove the existing tile and any thinset, or if the mortar bed is cracked, then remove it all. Otherwise, if a good stable bed, and the new tiles aren't thicker than the original ones, just reuse the existing bed and set tile in thinset.

Bill

 

[branimal]

The mortar had hairline cracks throughout. The mortar had two layers of steel mesh in it.

The SDS hammer and 3 foot pry bar took care of that.