I am about to buy a house in which the previous owner laid ceramic tile in a laundry room. I’d like to keep the tile, but when he laid it, he didn’t stop at the rear door. He kept laying all the way through the doorway and to the outside step. He didn’t install a threshold with weatherstripping. He instead hung the wrong kind of door, and it has a gap that both hot air and water can get in through. I plan on installing pre-hung insulated steel doors and need to remove the tile in the doorway so I can get the pre-hung door and frame to fit. Any suggestions about how can I cut ceramic tile?
First get a hand grout removal blade (looks like single edge razor blade with tungsten carbide grit on edge). Scrape out the grouting on the outside tiles and the ones that go under the door. That keeps tiles from cracking during the next step.
Next put a flat blade under the outermost tile and bang on it until the tile is loosened. Repeat until you have gone through all of the outside tiles and the ones just under the door. Scrape off any cement or glue stuck to their bottom side. Now that all of those are off you are ready for final step.
Measure how close to the door you want the tiles to end. Transfer that mark onto a tile so you can cut it. Either buy or rent a tile cutter and cut the tile along the line you made. If you have a problem on the first few cuts then you could use some of the extra ones from outside till you get them cut neatly. Now refasten those tiles along the door edge with thin set cement or adhesive. When that is dry apply grout that matches the original grout and you are done.
A 4 1/2 grinder will accept a blade that will cut through the tile so you can install the pre-hung door. Measure and add 1/2 inch to insure you get enough room to install the door. After the installation you can add a piece of (shoe) or quarter round to cover the small gap.
Silicone, white lightning,liquid nails or some type of adhesive sealant should be used.