These items might include trash cans, kitchen islands, drying racks, or toilet accessories.

Use painter’s tape to attach the plastic to surfaces. It’s a good idea to cover the tops of surfaces as well if you will likely be laying your materials or tools on the counter.

Knee pads are super useful for protecting your knees while you’re kneeling on the tiles. Wear closed-toe shoes to protect your feet while you’re working.

If there isn’t a chipped tile or loose grout, try to start loosening a tile at one of the ends of the floor. You can also tap the tile with your chisel, starting in the center and working your way outward, until it breaks. [5] X Expert Source Art FrickeHome Renovation & Repair Specialist Expert Interview. 1 July 2020. If you want to remove the tile without breaking it, drill a hole through the center of the tile with an abrasive diamond drill bit, being sure to use the lowest speed setting on your drill. Also, dip the drill bit in a little water throughout the process to keep it wet so it doesn’t overheat. [6] X Expert Source Art FrickeHome Renovation & Repair Specialist Expert Interview. 1 July 2020.

Use a masonry chisel that’s about 1 in (2. 5 cm) wide for best results.

The tile might not come off in one solid piece, so don’t worry if it splits and breaks into smaller pieces as you’re chipping away. A small sledge hammer also works instead of a mallet.

Once you remove the first few pieces of tile, it’ll be much easier to maneuver the chisel underneath the next pieces. This process will likely take a while, so be patient and go slowly so that you don’t injure yourself.

Move the broken pieces of tile out of the way so that you can reach the attached pieces more easily.

Keep your safety attire on for this step so that you don’t cut your hands or injure yourself. If necessary, you can vacuum up the dust and smaller pieces.

Depending on the size of your floor, you may want to use a bigger chisel to reach a wider surface area at once.

You can find a floor scraper at a home improvement store or online.

Follow the directions to mix the mortar properly before applying it. A square-notched trowel is helpful in making grooves in the mortar so that you can easily place new tile.