Purchase 0. 39 gallon (1. 5 L) cooking pots from home hardware stores. Pots that are 0. 39 gallons (1. 5 L) in size will cover a region of approximately 107. 639 square feet (10. 0000 m2). Add 1 cup (240 ml) of citrus degreaser or vinegar to your pot to help weaken the thinset.
You can also use a masonry chisel that is the same width. Continue removing the thinset in small chunks until you’ve removed enough to accommodate your new tiles. Always use a putty knife with a hammer-end handle and sharp blade.
Use a coarse stone for sharpening first. If your knife still needs sharpening afterward, use a fine stone. [3] X Research source Apply 1 drop of sharpening or honing oil to the surface of the stone and rub it in with your finger prior to sharpening. These products can be purchased at home hardware stores. Between the 2 stones, the grit range should be 325 (coarse) to 1200 (extra fine).
You can typically remove enough thinset with a chisel to lay tile evenly, but it’s very difficult to completely remove all of it. For the smoothest possible surface, finish the job with an angle grinder and a diamond grinding wheel.
Stick to wider chisels—they work better for removing thinset and help your work progress much faster. Refer to the instructions for your hammer drill—some have different routines for swapping bits and locking rotation.
Set your drill to the hammer setting. Avoid applying pressure to the ground unless you encounter stubborn areas. You can rent hammer drills from most home hardware shops.
Avoid increasing the angle above 45 degrees—this can damage the blade.
Continue using your hammer and chisel to remove the remaining patches of thinset. Removing thinset with a hammer drill is prone to leaving small patches along your floor. If you’re having trouble with patches, use a hammer and chisel or grinder to get rid of them.
A 4. 5 in (11 cm) cup wheel is best for this job. If you notice your grinder has a smaller one, swap it out with one that is the proper size.
Sand your spacer with rough 40- to 60-grit sandpaper to decrease its size. Rub the sandpaper along the outside of the spacer in a circular motion. It shouldn’t take more than 5 minutes to reduce its size with rough sandpaper. After sanding, your dust shroud should fit snugly onto the spacer without jiggling.
Always turn on your vacuum before you turn on the grinder.
Move the grinder up and down in motions and aim to cover about 2 to 3 ft (0. 61 to 0. 91 m) of vertical space with each motion. Slowly move it to the right or left as you grind and don’t worry about going over the same spot more than once.
