How to remove tiles without damaging timber floorboards?

[SPP]

I am renovating the Kitchen now. 

The previous owners placed tiles over the wooden floor boards. 

In the process of removing the tiles, I broke a floorboard. 

See attached photo, please advise on how to remove the tiles without damaging the subfloor. 

[JacobZ]

Hi @SPP,

Your best bet to get them off without any damage is to use a chisel at a very shallow angle, then tap it with a hammer to raise the protruding edge. Once it is under the tile, you can lever it up with the chisel.

Unfortunately, some minor damage to the floorboards is likely, but if you keep the wood chips, you can glue them back in place with some wood glue and once sanded and finished, they will be nearly imperceptible.

Let me know what you think and if you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

Jacob

[SPP]

Can I buy wood chips instead? 

[JacobZ]

Hi @SPP,

Ideally, you should avoid damaging them at all if possible.

Take your time and keep your tools at an acute angle so they don't dig into the timber.

Not so much wood chips, but you can fill any damage with a Timbermate Wood Filler or touch up crayon in the closest colour to your floorboards. Once sanded and sealed, they would be relatively imperceptible.

Let me know what you think.

Jacob