TILING TOOLS & WORKWEAR PREPARE FOR SUCCESS


Pete Miller, Territory Sales Manager at surface preparation equipment manufacturer National Flooring Equipment, explains how contractors can work efficiently when removing tiles.


Tiles have been used as both an artistic and construction material around the world for thousands of years. Artists used pebbles, gemstones and, later, ceramic tile to create elaborate images across temple walls and floors that last for centuries. This intricate art style is difficult to install and can be even more difficult to remove.


The reason tiles have been a popular floorcovering for centuries is because they are usually an affordable material, offering a variety of designs, textures and colours to choose from; as well as being water-resistant.


When installing a new tile floor, contractors should use the right equipment, tooling and processes so that the new tiles do not crack and will adhere to the substrate properly. However, before they can think about laying a new floor, contractors must consider how to effectively remove the old tile covering.


Many contractors still choose to remove difficult materials, such as ceramic or marble tile, by hand, despite it being a time consuming and laborious task. In fact, removing tile by hand can take many hours, particularly in a large, commercial space. Because of this, important steps might be missed in order to complete the job in less time.


Machinery


Using a surface preparation machine can remove tiles at a faster rate and reduce strain on employees. However, simply adding a machine to the jobsite will not instantly improve productivity. Contractors must take the time to consider what equipment is best for the workspace and the application.


Contractors should find out the size of the jobsite to help select a machine. For example, they may need a small walk-behind scraper for a residential job but a larger project may require a ride-on scraper.


The type of tile and how well it is stuck to the floor will also impact machine choice. Ceramic and marble tile in particular can be very stubborn to remove and may require more heavy-duty equipment, such as a ride-on machine.


Tooling


Once contractors have selected a machine, they must consider the tooling. Contractors are often unaware of the importance of tooling in surface preparation and use the first blade that they can find, instead of taking the time to select the right size for the application.


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Tile removal requires at least two types of blade — an angle shank that sits almost flat on the ground to remove the tile and a heavy-duty flat blade to remove the thin set underneath.


Preparation


After selecting a machine and tooling for the job, contractors should consider how they can prepare in advance to improve productivity. Taking extra equipment, such as tools for maintenance and extra battery chargers or full propane tanks to keep the machine running, will minimise on-site downtime.


Bringing a selection of blades will also be useful because contractors might find that the tile requires a different blade than first expected. Bringing a handful of cutting heads with blades already fitted can reduce downtime during changeover and ensure contractors are always working with a sharp blade, which has a huge impact on productivity.


Keep it Clean


Keeping a site clean when working with tiles is important for productivity and minimising downtime. A dirty site will make it difficult to see how much work is left and frequently driving over tile can damage machinery.


Instead, contractors should completely remove small areas of tile and thin set before moving on to the next part. This allows the contractor to clearly see how much of the job has been completed and ensure every bit of tile is removed before preparing the substrate for a new covering.


Tile removal may not be as intricate as creating a mosaic, but contractors should take care to ensure the job is done well. Equipment and tooling choice, preparing for downtime and splitting the job into small areas can help contractors improve productivity and deliver a high- quality renovation to customers.


www.nationalequipment.com/en www.tomorrowstileandstone.co.uk


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