Floor Replacement Questions

[Bill Heffernan]

I am deep into removing our existing tile floor and will be replacing it with LVP. My respect goes out to others who have already completed a floor replacement, the demo of the existing tile floor is a bear. For anyone who has completed this project how did you work around the front console that sits between the driver and co-pilot seats along with the shelf next to co-pilot. The existing tile goes under these cabinets, and my carpentry is not precise enough to be able to cut LVP pieces close enough to the contours. Did you remove these cabinets? Recommendations? Thanks

[Carl Boger]

Bill,

I took most of mine out with a air chisel which would break the tiles out even with or just behind any cabinets or anything else in the way. I used it both horizontally and vertically. The vinyl planks called for a slight gap to allow for expansion, so I milled some floor molding out of walnut and fastened it around the perimeter.  I did loose about 1/2 inch of floor space overall, but have not really noticed that.  Hope this helps you some.

[Bill Heffernan]

Thanks Carl. I started trying to use a hammer drill to remove the tile, but gave up as it was going incredibly slow. I've had far more success cutting out each piece and taking the sub-floor out along with the piece. Perhaps I go back to using the hammer drill to chisel out the tile around the cabinets and patch where I damage the sub-floor. I've looked around for a molding that I could use, but I haven't found anything so far. I'm not in a position to be able to custom mill a piece. Thanks!

[Carl Boger]

The air chisel was just sharp vibration on the end of a chisel.  It would crack the tile in a more or less straight line.  Wear gloves as the chards will cut you.