Oh my aching hands, I spent at least 3 hours today chipping up 75% of the ceramic tile I laid down 20 years ago on my concrete mudroom floor, and I am not done yet. 70 sf total, not too large, but a pain. I am getting good use out of my HF 1-1/8" SDS rotary hammer though with it's 2" wide blade. I used thinset directly on the concrete and it nearly made the tile and concrete one. I am spending 2-6 minutes per 12" x 12" tile to remove it. Full face shield, N95 dust mask and ear muffs, both the garage and outside door open so I get cross ventilation.
So, any tile experts out there for my re-install? Do the same, or lay down the orange mesh first? Watching the DIY channels, it seems that the orange stuff is standard now over most everything including concrete. Not sure of the purpose over concrete though. Floor is solid, poured in 1975 and no cracks. With all of the trowel marks, it might be difficult to get the floor as smooth as original, so will the mesh help there? The DW never did like the color I chose years ago, so she got to choose this time. And this will be the last time. Been in the house 39 years now.