Taking Up Old Flooring
Existing tiles and slab that are steadily laid can form a robust base for a floor. But carpeting and laminate flooring, and basically any flooring that is not well stuck tight needs to be lifted before you lay a new one. I know all this because I consider myself to be one of the most competent bathroom suppliers Belfast has to give.
A garden spade is an excellent instrument for lifting a floor covering like vinyl tiles or lino, when the glue is not holding well. Its implement has a sharp fringe that someone can push below the material (file it sharper if you need to) and the extensive handle allows a lot of levering for lifting. For a significant area, rent a powered tile stripper.
Old-quarry tiles are difficult to remove, and will probably only unearth an unsuitable sub-floor beneath. It is in all probability desirable to not move them from where they are. If some tiles become spoiled or go missing, lift up damaged tiles with a crow bar and claw hammer, using eye protection. Then displace the tiles with other tiles, or clog gaps with gravel and cement.
If a quarry tiled floor is in an extremely decayed state, lift desperately broken and with crumbling areas, clean extensively, pack deep holes with gravel and concrete, and then apply a cement mixture to the whole surface. This will give a sound clean foundation for laying your chosen finished flooring material.