7 Safety Tips When Using Tile Removal Machines

By: John Garcia | Date Posted: May 11, 2022

Using Tile Removal Machines

Tile removal machines are the go-to options of many contractors because they are efficient to use. In addition, they’re known to provide a cleaner surface. Because of this, they pose few health hazards as most of them produce less dust. Collectively, these advantages help in making the tile removal less expensive.

Suppose you’re planning to scrape off your floor tiles anytime soon. In that case, you may need some safety tips in using tile removal machines to avoid accidents. This way, you could ensure your safety, maximize your labor time, and reduce the time of tile removal. For that purpose, here’s an article to help you. So, read on.

  1. Read The Machine’s Manual

Reading the manual of the tile removal machine is necessary before using it. In most cases, this manual contains safety precautions about handling the tool. It typically gives ideas of what to do and what not to do. In addition, it explains the proper use and maintenance practices to keep the machine functional for an extended time.

If you use a heavy duty floor scraper machine, you must read the manual meticulously. In some cases, this tile removal machine is more challenging to use and may need better preparation and skills to ensure that you’d operate it correctly.

  1. Prepare The Space

Before you remove the tiles, you need to clean the floor and get rid of objects that may injure you. You may sweep the space or use a vacuum cleaner to remove the dust and dirt. Also, you could check the area for slippery surfaces and make the necessary adjustments after.

You may also need to ensure that you have ample space where you can keep the tile machine. For this purpose, you may need to throw away unnecessary objects in the area or use an appropriately-sized device. Working in a tight space could make your tile removal less manageable and may be prone to accidents.

  1. Wear Protective Gear

Wear Protective Gear

Safety gear is vital as this is your first defense against cuts, abrasions, and punctures. Operating the tile removal machine without protective gear makes your tile removal less safe. For more ideas about what to wear, here’s a list of the following:

  • Personal Protection Equipment (PPE)

This refers to your cut-resistant body covering. PPEs usually have various types, each preferred, depending on a worker’s job. In tile removal, you may wear the lightweight type to move better because heavier PPEs may tend to restrict your movement because of the weight.

You may consider proper fitting, sizing, and balancing comfort for better machine use in choosing a PPE. If you plan to settle for cheaper options, you may wear thick and long-sleeved clothes to provide your body with an additional cover.

  • Safety Gloves

Many workers wear cut-resistant gloves to ensure that their hands are protected. In addition, the gloves should allow excellent finger flexibility and good grip. Basically, these enable workers to press switches and use the controls.

  • Safety Goggles

Full-wrap goggles are ideal for protecting your eyes from puncture and dirt. Although many tile removal machines today are dust-free, the process may still produce broken tiles and shard edges that machines could dislodge while working. Because of this, you need goggles to ensure eye protection.

  • Safety Shoes

To keep your feet safe from punctures, cuts, and abrasions, you must wear high-quality safety shoes. In choosing this footwear, you may consider those with a 200-joule toe cap, energy-absorbent, and have midsole protection. You may also opt for shoes with better gripping to avoid slipping.

  • Kneepads

Sometimes, you’ll kneel on rough surfaces when removing lodged tiles and other debris. Because of this, adequately padded knees are vital to avoid abrasion and cuts.

  1. Check The Machine Before Use

Before using a new or old tile removal machine, you must check it thoroughly. If your tile removal machine is new, you may just need to inspect if its parts are in place. On the other hand, you may look for loose bolts, leaks, and breakage in old machines.

To ensure that your machine is in its best condition, you may look for signs of damage. These could be excessive vibration, loud noise, screeching sounds, and high temperature. You may operate your machine for a few minutes and observe how it works to check possible issues. If it seems complicated, you may fix it first before using it.

  1. Dispose of the Removed Tiles Properly

If you’re working on a vast floor area, you may need to instantly dispose of the removed tiles and grout. To avoid consuming much time throwing them away, you may do this step every 30 minutes or every time you have scraped a hundred tiles. For this purpose, you may need to sweep the chipped tiles with a broom and put them into puncture-proof bags.

  1. Choose The Right Blade

Tile removal machines use different blades in various tile types. Many default blades can work best in most tiles, especially those that aren’t attached well or lack grout and adhesive. In industrial flooring, where breaking mortar beds and removing stubborn adhesives may be necessary, you may opt for steel-hardened blades.

  1. Prepare Some Extra Tools

While many tile removal machines can scrape many tiles, having extra tools to remove the remaining parts and hardened adhesives is essential. You may also use these tools in areas where the tile removal machines don’t fit. Some of the standard scraping tools you may use are chisels, pry bars, hammer drill, and a mallet.

Wrapping Up

Removing tiles isn’t a walk in the park. In most cases, you’ll need tools and skills to scrape tiles correctly. Fortunately, you can use tile removal machines to work in a broader space. If you’re thinking about using this machine, you may need to practice using it before doing the scraping.

You may also need to know and apply the safety tips mentioned above in handling this machine. This way, you’ll be free from injury and other troubles, leading to an efficient and inexpensive tile removal process. For more ideas on how to get rid of tiles, you may ask seasoned tile removers or subscribe to some home improvement channels.

Thank you for reading!

John
 

John is the founder and chief editor of Homienjoy. With over 15 years of experience in the home improvement industry, John is passionate about helping homeowners confidently tackle their projects. Holding a civil engineering degree and working as a contractor, project manager, and consultant, John brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the Homienjoy community.

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