[CosmicMiami]

I have recently acquired a 1960s home. While doing some work in one of the rooms, I noticed that one of the previous owners had laid the tile over hardwood. They did not do it properly with any backer board.

There are numerous broken tiles and some spots where the tile is obviously coming up.

On my project list is to replace the flooring. So what to do?

I don't think the HW is salvageable and truthfully, it sounds like a HUGE project. We must live in the home while the work is underway.

Looking for a miracle solution!! :laughing:

 

[oh'mike]

That tile will pop right off---get a hand held hammer about 3 pounds and start knocking them off---

when demoing the hardwood---be careful if you use a circular saw---in those days the hardwood was frequently laid over 1x4 sleepers with electrical conduit between the subfloor and the hardwood.

Figure that out before you get carried away-----

 

[joecaption]

Once you get a few up sometimes I've been able to pop them off with just a flat shovel they were so loose.
If you can figure out where the joist are you can make cuts between the joist to make it easyer to remove the flooring.
I use one of these to pop them off.
http://www.thegutster.com/
Northern Tool sold then at one time.

Any way to get under the floor to see if it was just laid over the joist with no subflooring?

 

[CosmicMiami]

I'm not so much worried about getting the old tile up. I'm sure it will come up without too much problem. What to do after that?

I know, it depends on the integrity of the hardwood. Just wondering if anybody has seen this and if there is a chance the hardwood will be good.

Thanks.

 

[joecaption]

Not very likly.

 

[CosmicMiami]

Not very likly.

I figured that.

With that in mind, I have a few options after removing the tile.

1. Install laminate over the existing wood floor
2. Remove the hardwood and start from the subfloor

I don't see too many other options. Keep in mind, I would like to minimize daily disruptions. There doesn't seem to be an option of doing this project in stages.

If I decide to take the easier route (laminate), Would that require me to remove ALL the existing mortar or just the high spots? I think I know the answer. Which would lead me back to option 2!

 

[rusty baker]

The floor needs to be smooth and flat for laminate. (Remember, level and flat are not the same thing.)

 

[CosmicMiami]

The floor needs to be smooth and flat for laminate. (Remember, level and flat are not the same thing.)

Understood. Thanks.