Hint - Removing Existing Tiles
To remove existing tiles there is little option but to get stuck in with a hammer and bolster chisel or one of the jackhammers available. Wear good gloves and goggles, as splintered tiles can be very sharp indeed. For the lazier amongst you (like us!) an electric chisel can be hired from tool hire centres...Please do not expect to have a perfectly flat floor when you have finished with one of these! However the resulting rough surface can be easily smoothed with a good primer and self leveling cement product.
To remove old vinyl tiles you need the patience of a saint and Herculean strength. It is, we believe, the worst job on the planet! A good floor scraper is a must, but even these do take a lot of muscle. Some tiles will "chip" up if you hit them close to the edge with a hammer and bolster,(flying vinyl chips will easily mark existing gyprock walls). A hot air gun, applied gently to the adhesive, will loosen it and allow it to be scraped up as well. Over the years I have used gas torches to heat the surface of the vinyl tiles. This makes them much easier to remove. The vinyl adhesive remaining on the floor, must be scraped to remove all excess. Grinding of the surface only smears the adhesive into the concrete pores. Once the excess vinyl adhesive is removed ,roll a prebond product on to the surface,allow this to dry then tile normally.
With all floor tiling, it is a much better job if you can tile before the skirting boards are installed, however there is a skirting saw available which will cut the required depth from the bottom of all skirting and architraves (QUICKLY). For one, the skirting will then hide any "not so perfect" cuts you have made,also this complies with the Australian Standards Requirement of a expansion joint around the perimeter of he whole room!