How to Remove Brick Flooring

Remove brick flooring.

The job is straightforward but does require some muscle. Ask a friend to help you to finish the job more quickly.

1. Set the head a flat-head screwdriver on a line of grout. Tap the end of the screwdriver with a rubber mallet until the grout cracks.

2. Move the screwdriver over 1/4 inch. Place the screwdriver on the same grout line angled toward the first crack. Tap on the handle with the mallet to knock loose a 1/4 inch section of grout.

3. Continue moving over 1/4 inch and removing pieces of grout until you have removed enough grout to wedge a putty knife under a brick. Rock the brick to loosen.

4. Slip a pry bar under the putty knife and pull out the putty knife. Apply pressure to the pry bar until the brick pulls free from the floor. Lift the brick and discard.

5. Repeat this process of chipping away grout until you can slide a putty knife and pry bar under the brick across the floor. Remove all of the brick.

6. Sweep the floors to remove loose debris.

Tip

Remove as much adhesive as you need to accommodate your new flooring. For example, carpet does not require a perfectly smooth sub-floor but wood flooring does. Remove the old adhesive with a metal scraper. This method of removal may damage the bricks. To preserve the brick and reuse it, chip away all of the grout before sliding a putty knife under the brick and gently loosening it from the floor.