Surface Prep and Removal

Tile failures often start under the tile. If the surface is not clean, sound, and properly profiled, even a great install can turn into bond issues, hollow spots, or telegraphed imperfections. This Surface Prep and Removal collection is built for the real work that happens before layout and thinset: removing old flooring and adhesive, grinding and flattening concrete, and preparing a substrate that is ready for membranes, self-leveler, or direct bond installs.

What is in this collection

• Floor grinders and grinding tooling
  
  Equipment and attachments for grinding and surface refinement, including floor grinders and diamond grinding heads for consistent prep across larger areas.
  
• Walk-behind scrapers and removal tools
  
  Removal-focused machines and accessories designed to speed up stripping work, plus specialty removal blades for taking up floor coverings and adhesive.
  
• Prep system components and heavy-duty add-ons
  
  Jobsite helpers like plate and pin systems and other add-ons that expand what your prep machine can do when you need more aggression or a different cut pattern.
  

How to choose the right prep approach

• If you are removing floor coverings or adhesive
  
  Start with scraping and the correct removal blade for the material. This is usually faster and cleaner than grinding everything down first.
  
• If you are flattening, refining, or profiling concrete
  
  Choose a grinder and the right grinding head for the finish you need. Aggressive tooling is for rapid removal, finer tooling is for smoothing and final prep before your next layer.
  
• If dust and cleanup matter
  
  Plan dust control before you start. Many prep steps create fine dust fast, so pairing the right extraction and containment workflow will keep visibility up and cleanup down.
  
• If the job is large
  
  Some surface prep equipment ships freight and may require specific power setups. Check product details before ordering so delivery and jobsite power match your schedule.
  

Suggested links

Use your Shop Recommended Product Collections style

• Dust Management
  
  keep prep cleaner and improve visibility
  
  Link https://tiletools.com/collections/dust-management
  
• Self Leveling
  
  flatten floors after prep when needed
  
  Link https://tiletools.com/collections/self-leveling
  
• Preparation and Installation
  
  layout and set once the substrate is ready
  
  Link https://tiletools.com/collections/preparation-and-installation
  
• Setting Materials
  
  mortars and thinset for install
  
  Link https://tiletools.com/collections/setting-material
  
• Grinders
  
  handheld grinding and accessory options
  
  Link https://tiletools.com/collections/grinders