Old tile removal in Port St. Lucie, FL

Remove old ceramic tile and thinset in Port St. Lucie, FL to make way for LVP, laminate or new tile. Free quotes from independent local flooring installers.

Many Port St. Lucie homes built in the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s still have the original ceramic tile, often laid on the diagonal with wide grout lines. Removing it is the first step to a new floor, and it is the hardest part of the job. Done carelessly, it leaves a rough slab, a cloud of dust and a floor that is harder to finish well.

What removal involves

Breaking up the tile. Crews usually use electric chipping hammers. It is loud and takes time, especially when the tile is well bonded.
Removing the thinset. The layer of mortar under the tile stays on the slab. It has to be ground or scraped down so the new floor sits flat.
Hauling it away. Tile and mortar are heavy. A full house can fill a dumpster, so ask where it goes and whether disposal is in the price.
Checking the slab. Once the tile is gone, the slab shows its cracks, high spots and old patches, and it can be prepared properly.

Dust

Grinding thinset and concrete makes fine dust that contains silica, which you do not want to breathe or spread through the house. Ask the installer how they control dust, such as grinders with vacuum attachments, plastic sheeting over doorways and sealing off the air vents. Plan to clean the air filter in your AC system afterward.

Older homes and asbestos

In homes built before the 1980s, old vinyl tile and the black adhesive under it may contain asbestos. Ceramic tile itself usually does not, but some older adhesives and patching materials can. If you are not sure what you have, have a sample tested before anyone grinds or breaks it. If it tests positive, it needs to be handled by a company that follows the rules for that material.

Do you have to remove it?

Not always. Some LVP and laminate products can go over existing tile if it is flat and solid and the grout lines are filled with a leveling compound. That saves time and dust, but it raises the floor, which can be a problem at doors, the dishwasher and transitions. Ask the installer whether the product allows it and what it would mean at your doorways.

Permits, licenses and who is responsible

Many cities and counties do not require a building permit to replace floor covering alone, but rules differ and some jobs include other work that does, such as moving a toilet or changing a doorway. Confirm with your city or county building department. The installer is responsible for its own work and any permits the job needs.

Florida does not require a state contractor license for flooring work on its own. Florida Statute 489.117(4)(a) leaves flooring out of the trades that need state certification or registration. That is not the whole story, because counties and cities can have their own requirements, such as a local business tax receipt or a local license, and a job that touches plumbing or electrical work brings in other rules. Local rules can vary, so confirm with your city or county. Either way, ask any installer for proof of insurance.

After removal, see LVP and laminate or tile installation. For prices, see the flooring cost guide.

Questions homeowners ask

How long does it take to remove tile from a whole house?

For an average size home, removal and slab cleanup often take one to three days, depending on how well the tile is stuck and how much thinset has to be ground off.

Will removing tile damage my slab?

Some surface chipping is normal, and it gets filled during prep. Serious damage is uncommon with the right tools. Cracks that show up were usually already there under the tile.

Can I stay home during tile removal?

Many people do, but it is loud and dusty. If anyone in the home has breathing problems, plan to be out during the removal and grinding days.

Related services

We refer homeowners in Tradition, Port St. Lucie West, Fort Pierce, Stuart, Jensen Beach, Palm City, Vero Beach, and nearby neighborhoods.

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