Unfortunately, a chisel is the way to go for tile. It's possible to do it with a hand chisel and hammer, but it's very slow going that way as well.

As for the rubber paper surface, we used a metal scraper and a heat gun to remove ours. Actually, hubby used a propane flame and a scraper, which worked faster than the heat gun and scraper I used, but we finished eventually.

You might see if you can identify the glue used for the rubber surface and see if there is a product to remove it. We didn't think of that.

A friend suggested that we try acetone. Of course, as with any demo work, be extremely careful to keep the area well-ventilated, especially if you choose to use chemicals.

I took on the project of removing floor tiles that were installed in the 60's. They were glued to a cement floor . Had no luck with a heat gun. I went to Goodwill a bought 3 irons. (Wish I had thought of a propane flame!) I placed the irons on the tiles and let them sit a few minutes, then slid them to the next section and scraped the heated ones as the new section warmed up. I used a metal hand scraper and a floor scraper. Other than the irons, the only thing that made this job any easier were books on tape and music.

Thanks Lissa and DeeDee, thanks, I will try both, someone on my blog told me about using water on the paper and letting it sit and then scraping it. I will try that too. too funny about the irons, and dh will put the rock and roll on high to do the work ha! Thanks again.

I'd check with the home improvement or flooring stores for some chemical agents that might help. We discovered that under the berber carpet throughout our home was indoor/outdoor carpet GLUED to the original hardwood floors. We pulled up that carpet ok, but it left the foam backing. We scraped and scraped and scraped for days in just one room, dreading the thought of doing the whole house.

Finally we found a chemical dissolver that smelled like green apples. Applied (with windows open and wearing masks), let soak in, then it scraped up really easily. Maybe that is an option?

As for the tile...chipping. Maybe a grinder? That would make a lot of dust, but might make it go faster.

It wasn't too long ago that dh and I were chipping away at the tile and thin set on our entry way. I feel your pain and frustration with the slow progress. It will get done, eventually!
Below, I've posted a link to our experience on the flooring site.
We rented this machine below (from Home Depot) that helped with the stubborn thin set.
-Laurie

Here is a link that might be useful: Removing Ceramic Tile

Peskyl, we were trying to avoid the toxic stuff till a last resort, which we maybe at righ tnow, thanks.

Oh Laurie, that machine looks like just the ticket, I'll show dh.

Sometimes it is just simpler and faster and better to tear out the subfloor, thinset and all and replace it.

Funny enough it is way easier to do than chip off just the thinset and you get to clean out air returns if they were run in the floor, add cable, wiring, etc and you can then beef up any joists needed, screw and glue the new sub down, its level, new, ready to go.

All you need is a recip saw to get each section cut and some wrecking bars and 2x scraps for leverage. And a bin. And a back. And the will.

Good luck to you.

Our home was built in the early 80's and unfortunately on a concrete foundation : (

springvillegardens- keep us posted on your progress. Post photos if you can.

What new flooring will you be installing?

-Laurie