Tile, hardwood and subfloor removal in an older Toronto house

Tile on mortar versus tile on board

Tile in a newer renovation is usually set on cement board or a membrane, which lifts off in pieces with the tile attached. Tile in an older kitchen or bathroom is often set in a thick mortar bed. That bed:

• Has to be broken up in sections
• Is heavy to carry and fills bins quickly
• Produces a lot of fine dust
• Sends vibration into the framing and ceiling below

Nailed hardwood: reuse or debris

Old strip hardwood is usually nailed through the tongue into the subfloor. Some boards can be lifted one at a time for reuse, but tongues split and ends break, so only part of a floor typically survives. If salvage matters, the crew works slowly from one edge. If not, the boards are cut into sections and removed quickly as debris.

Deciding whether old strip hardwood is worth saving changes the entire removal method. Flooring intended for reuse is approached from an accessible edge, with boards released one at a time so the tongue and groove have the best chance of staying intact. Fasteners are located and eased out instead of using the board itself as a lever. Even with careful work, some pieces split at ends, old nail holes or weakened tongues, so the owner should expect the crew to sort usable boards from damaged ones as removal proceeds. Boards are labelled by room where matching colour and wear matter, then stacked flat in a dry location away from demolition traffic. If salvage is not part of the scope, the floor can be divided into manageable sections and lifted more directly. Saw depth is set to the flooring layer so the subfloor and joists below are not scored. Registers, thresholds and transitions are opened first because they reveal the number and direction of layers. The crew also checks for wiring or pipes that may sit unusually close below a plank subfloor before making repeated cuts. Adhesive, filler and underlayment encountered beneath later patches are compared with the survey before disturbance continues. Agreeing on reuse before work begins ensures the crew arrives with the right handling and storage plan instead of trying to rescue boards after fast removal has already started.

Sheet vinyl, old tile and black mastic

Older sheet vinyl, vinyl tile and the black mastic adhesive under them are standard sample points in the designated substances survey. The crew reviews the results before lifting anything. Positive materials are removed first by a qualified abatement contractor, and flooring removal follows once that is complete.

Plank subfloor versus plywood

Many older houses have subfloors made of solid wood planks laid diagonally or straight across the joists. Newer work uses plywood or panel sheathing. Whether the subfloor stays depends on its condition and the new floor:

• Sound planks are often kept and overlaid with new sheathing
• Rot, water damage or heavy movement means replacement
• Height changes for new tile may require removal

Protecting joists, the floor below and the stairs

Removing a floor puts the structure under it at risk. The crew cuts to controlled depths so joists are not scored, avoids heavy impact over finished ceilings and keeps loads spread out. Stairs used for carry-out are covered with protective treads, and the path to the door is kept clear and runner-covered.

Where the room below is a finished, occupied space, it helps to check its ceiling before work starts and note any existing cracks. Shelves, light fixtures and anything fragile hanging on the walls below should be taken down for the duration, since vibration from breaking a mortar bed travels further than most owners expect.

When to bring in a professional

Pulling up carpet is a simple job. Breaking out a mortar bed, lifting hardwood without damaging the joists or dealing with surveyed vinyl is not. Call a professional when more than one layer is coming out or when the floor below is finished and occupied.