As the end of the summer season is approaching, there’s still time to squeeze in those last-minute DIY projects before the weather changes. With Zenith by Danco tools, including the versatile tile removal tool, every DIY project becomes a breeze! Whether you’re enhancing your living space or tackling outdoor tasks, our tools are designed to make the job easier and more efficient. Don’t miss the opportunity to elevate your DIY experience with Zenith by Danco.

Removing ceramic tiles

Removing ceramic tile is a relatively simple do-it-yourself project with the right tools and steps. Here’s a list of home remodeling tools you’ll need:

Steps to remove ceramic tiles

  1. Clear the room: To begin, clear the flooring area of furniture and other things. If you are removing tiles from a bathroom, be sure to remove the toilet or sink fixtures. 
  2. Disconnect & Protect the area: Disconnect water, electrical, and other pipes that run through the floor. Put on protective gear and cover the surface with a drop sheet or protective covering for your protection.
  3. Remove Ceramic Tile: Here are the steps you should follow:
  • Use the Floor Lifter tool with a hammer to drive beneath the tile. Align the built-in center wedge at one start point towards the outside of the room, working inward to the center of the floor, removing one tile at a time. 
  • Use an upward force tapping the handle with the hammer until the cement bond underneath is broken.
  • Repeat steps 3 & 4 until all tiles are extracted. 

4. Remove Mortar:  Before you can begin installing new flooring, use the floor lifter hand tool to scrape off the mortar underneath the tile. 

The Floor Lifter is available on Amazon and at the Home Depot.

Removing Vinyl Flooring

Vinyl flooring is popular among homeowners due to its affordable price, visual appeal, and easy maintenance. However, if you’re ready to upgrade your flooring, you must remove the old vinyl first. Luckily this is a simple DIY job with the right Zenith tools! Here is what you’ll need: 

  • Floor Lifter
  • Trim Puller
  • Utility Knife 
  • Protective Cover
  • Hammer
  • Gloves
  • Mask
  • Safety Glasses

Steps to remove Vinyl Flooring

1. Clear the room: First, empty the room. Remove all furniture from the workspace.

2. Remove Baseboards: Before you begin removing the flooring, the baseboards covering the edges of the flooring must be removed. Locate the seal between the trim and the wall, then use the Zenith by Danco Trim Puller for precise removal so you can salvage the material for recycling or reuse. This tool has an integrated close wedge to make it easier to remove high-value materials precisely. The Trim Puller should go between the wall and the board to release the seal when applying force. The Trim Puller is available on Amazon and at The Home Depot.

3. Remove the trim: Once the seal is released, we suggest starting at one end and working your way down when removing the trim. This will allow you to leverage the trim to a complete advantage, reducing the risk of damaging the trim or wall behind it. Drive the Trim Puller at one end of the trim and pull until completely separated. Be gentle, as you do not want to snap the trim. 

4. Use Mini Trim for hard to reach areas: In areas that are harder to reach or contain small trimming, try using the Zenith Mini Trim Puller! This tool is the smaller version of the revolutionary Trim Puller. The Mini includes identical features to that of the Trim Puller & fits in tight spaces with great precision. The Mini Trim Puller is available at Lowes.

5. Remove Vinyl Flooring

  • Beginning in the middle of the room, use a utility knife to score the flooring. Cut into narrow strips and roll the vinyl while making your way down the length of the strip. 
  • If you’re removing vinyl plank or tile flooring, we suggest using the Floor Lifter to speed up & simplify the removal process. Pry up a corner of one of the tiles, and slide the tool beneath it prying until completely extracted. 

6. Remove Glued Perimeter

  • Once the vinyl flooring is completely removed, use the Floor Lifter to scrape the remaining adhesive from the subflooring.
  • A mixture of warm water and soap can also wash away stubborn adhesive. 

Once the old ceramic tile or vinyl flooring is removed, thoroughly clean the area of debris or leftover materials before beginning the next steps. Before the sun sets in summer, use this guide to complete any last-minute floor renovations!