Ceramic Tile Removal
The most important question in ceramic tile removal is: What is the tile set on? The type of substrate determines how the tile is removed. In the case of concrete or mortar you should consider setting the new tiles on top of the old. Concrete and mortar are extremely hard to work with so the less work you do with them the better.
If the ceramic tiles are set on drywall things are relatively easy and straightforward. First, cut around the tile using a drywall saw. This will protect the rest of the wall. Be careful not to cut too deeply or you may damage pipes or wires under the drywall. Next, make a large hole in the center of the wall. Grasp the edges of the hole and pull the drywall off. Have someone handy to help you since it usually comes off in large sections.
Ceramic tile removal from particle board, like drywall, will require that you remove the base. Start by cutting around the edges of the installation with a dry-cutting blade. Then make a second cut parallel to the edges but about three feet inside. Cut this large,donut-like shape into sections and pry them up with a pry bar. Then remove the inner tiles.
With a plywood base you may want to reuse the plywood. Remove a couple of the tiles to check the surface of the plywood. You can reuse the base if the plywood is not damaged and you can get all the adhesive off. If the adhesive will be difficult to remove write the whole thing off. It's not worth your time. In that case, use the particle board technique to remove the plywood.
If you decide to keep the plywood remove the tiles one at a time or in small groups using the single ceramic tile removal technique. Scrape off the adhesive with a trowel or use a power-sander. Be careful that you gouge the plywood as little as possible.
For concrete ceramic tile removal is easy. Just smash the tiles and scrape off the adhesive as above. This assumes, of course, that the concrete is in good condition and can be reused.
For mortar you will have the remove the tile and the setting bed. The simplest is to cut the tile and bed at the same time with a dry-cutting blade. Adjust the blade so you don't cut any deeper than the combined thickness of the tile and bed. Make a series of long cuts about a foot apart in a grid pattern. Pry up the tile and substrate with a pry bar.
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