Since 2012, we have removed countless floors across Perth, and here’s what actually happens in a professional floor removal project.
In our 13 years in the business, we have encountered every possible situation, and we truly mean every single one. The good, the bad, and the downright messy.
Whether you want to install one of our epoxy coating systems or simply need old flooring removed, knowing how things work is valuable to you and your business. We’ve taken care of everything from stubborn 1970s tiles glued down like they were meant to last forever to beautiful timber floors someone regrettably covered with carpet decades ago.
This guide is about everything that you need to know and is based on real experience from actual job sites. No theory. No fluff. Just practical information from people who do this work every single day.
Why Floor Removal Matters More Than You Think
Most people don’t realise it until it’s too late, but the old floor isn’t just sitting there, doing nothing.
Underneath those tiles or timber planks is a world of adhesives, grout, and sometimes surprises you really don’t want to quickly discover halfway through a DIY weekend project. We’ve walked into homes where previous owners attempted their removal.
The results? Let’s just say the subfloor looked like it had been through a war zone. That’s not the foundation you want to properly build on.
If you’re planning to coat your concrete floor, starting with a properly prepared surface makes all the difference.
Planning Your Floor Removal Project
Proper planning saves time, money, and a whole lot of frustration. Here’s how we approach every job.
The Initial Assessment That Actually Matters
Every removal job begins anew, as each floor possesses its unique personality. Yeah, we said personality because after 13 years, you begin to see these things.
- Floor type and current condition: An 80s ceramic tile behaves nothing like modern porcelain.
- Subfloor material beneath: Concrete or timber joists dictate our method and timeline.
- Total area we’re working with: 50 square metres in an open space versus three tight rooms? Completely different.
- Access points and logistics: Equipment access, power sources, and material removal routes.
- Disposal requirements: Waste handling varies by material and local regulations.
You’re getting yourself set up for difficulties if you miss any of these facts. We have learned from our past mistakes, so you can avoid them.
Common Floor Types We Remove (And Why Each One’s Different)
Not all floors are created equal. What works for ceramic won’t work for timber, and treating them the same is asking for trouble.
Tile Flooring Removal
Tiles might look similar, but the removal process varies dramatically depending on what you’re dealing with.
- Ceramic tiles: Straightforward to remove, but the adhesive underneath is where the real work begins.
- Porcelain tiles: Harder and denser than ceramic, requiring more effort to break free
- Natural stone: Travertine, marble, and slate are heavier with stronger adhesive bonds.
- Adhesive residue: The villain of every tile job that separates amateurs from professionals
The tile itself is rarely the challenge. It’s what’s holding it down that’ll test your patience.
Wooden Floor Removal
Timber floors have unique challenges and should solve certain needs for each style. Solid timber boards:
- Nailed or glued with industrial-strength adhesive.
- Engineered wood: Thinner layers which splinter easily require a different approach;
- Laminate flooring: Typically clicks together to be taken out faster unless glue is involved.
- Parquet: Time-consuming due to the multitude of small pieces and large surface areas for adhesives.
Removing wood seems deceptively simple at first but once you get into it, it can become as challenging as dealing with tile.
The Removal Process: What Actually Happens
This is where theory meets reality. Here’s the step-by-step breakdown of how we handle floor removal from start to finish.
Step 1: Site Protection
We shield your property even before touching a single tile or plank. Heavy-duty plastic sheeting seals off work areas. Industrial dust extraction captures fine particles at the source. Clean pathways prevent tracking clutter through your home.
AS 3740:2021 standards require floors to be smooth, dust-free, clean, and dry before coating. You can’t achieve that if you’ve let dust spread during removal. Proper containment isn’t glamorous, but it’s what separates professionals from cowboys.
Step 2: Professional Removal
That’s where 13 years of experience comes in. How to approach floors varies—there is no one-size-fits-all answer.
Tile Removal
Ride-on machines for bigger areas remove tiles efficiently without destroying the subfloor. Hand tools handle edges and tight spots.
Complete adhesive stripping is something amateurs walk out on; the tiles may come off easily but the rock-hard adhesive will really try your patience. We prepare the surface immediately so it is ready for the next step.
Wooden Floor Removal
It began with the installation; plank removal is a methodical one.
We adjust our approach based on what we find. There’s adhesive stripping that follows—some timber floors were glued like they were building a bridge.
All nails are pulled clean away since left-behind nails are accidents just waiting to happen. Subfloor cleaning reveals what’s been hidden for years.
Step 3: Surface Preparation
After removal, the real prep starts. Grinding levels the surface and removes stubborn adhesive. Levelling fixes dips and cracks.
Industrial vacuums do the cleaning work. Quality checks catch anything that could cause problems later.
A floor coating is only as effective as the surface underneath. Proper concrete preparation is critical for coating adhesion and longevity.
What Our Clients Actually Experience
Let’s talk about some real experiences from real clients. Walter: “Throughout the whole experience Lawrence was a real professional, providing frank, honest advice and fast and efficient communication.” That’s what we go for. No rubbish, no surprises, just straight answers.
Colin added, “The process of making it all happen was dead simple.” Well, maybe for him. Behind the scenes, we’re juggling logistics, timing, equipment, and a dozen other little details.
That’s what we do—we make those complex projects seem simple.
Professional Equipment Makes the Difference
You know what separates weekend warriors from pros? Equipment. Proper equipment. Avoid using hire-shop tools that have been excessively worn out by previous users.
- Ride-on removal machines for larger areas are efficient and protect your subfloor.
- Industrial dust extraction systems that actually capture the fine particles at source
- Diamond-grinding equipment we use for concrete prep and stubborn adhesive removal
- Specialised hand tools have accumulated over 13 years for edges and tight spots.
The right gear doesn’t just speed up the job—it determines the quality of what’s left behind.
After Removal: What Comes Next?
When we’re done with the removal work, we’re not just watching you stare at bare concrete. Here’s what happens:
A complete site cleanup brings everything back to civilised standards. We’re removing all debris, sweeping, vacuuming, and leaving the area ready for whatever’s next.
The waste is disposed of properly through licensed facilities in compliance with WA’s waste management regulations – no shady dumping, only proper disposal. Everything meets our standards, per final inspection.
We walk through the site, looking for anything we may have missed. Surface assessment provides you an honest evaluation. Perhaps the subfloor is ideal for a coating system. Perhaps it needs repair work first.
We will provide you with honest and straightforward advice. Advice on next steps comes from genuine experience. This includes plans for our epoxy floor coatings, flake systems, or polyurea applications.
We can advise you on the right approach. Since 2012, we’ve seen what works and what doesn’t.
The Real Cost of Getting It Wrong
Here’s something worth considering: bad floor removal costs twice. You incur costs twice: once when you hire someone at a low cost to perform the task incorrectly, and again when you have to pay to rectify the mess they have caused. We have been requested to assist with numerous removal jobs that were not completed to the expected standard.
Damaged subfloors. Cracked concrete. Gouges that need filling. Adhesive residue that wasn’t properly removed. These aren’t just cosmetic issues; they’re problems that compromise whatever floor system you install next.
Ready for Professional Floor Removal?
If you want to take down tiles or timber flooring in Perth, we know what you’re doing — we have the experience and tools needed to do it correctly. We’ve operated these projects throughout Western Australia for 13 years and have built systems that work.
If you’re removing floors to prepare for an epoxy, polyurea, or flake coating system, or you just need proper removal and prep work, we can do it. For a free assessment and honest advice on the removal of the flooring you need, contact iCOATWA.
No pressure, no nonsense—just straight communication from people who have done this thousands of times. Because at the end of the day, your floor is something you’ll walk on every single day. It deserves to be done right from the ground up.
