How To Remove Ceramic Tile Backsplash From Wall

Are you installing a new backsplash over the same area.

How to remove ceramic tile backsplash from wall.

The biggest mistake people make when they remove a ceramic tile backsplash is to jump right in and try to pop the tiles off. You may need to pry it off in two or three places if firmly attached. This is where those small chisels will come in handy. Then wedge the scrapper into the gap where the tile fell.

The extreme cold may make the glue brittle and cause the tile to come off easily. With the removal of the one tile keep going under the surrounding tiles gently popping the tile from the wall by prying it from the wall using the scraper and hammer. Breaking up the grout will allow the tiles to loosen. The method used to attach the tiles to the wall affects the way the tiles come off.

Work the grout scraper in a downward motion and work side to side to gently loosen the tile from its hold against the wall. One tip to removing backsplash tile is to go in on an angle so that you do not go directly into the drywall. For semi soft adhesive mastic use 120 grit sandpaper to remove it from the wall. Put on protective gloves and place a piece of dry ice in a towel.

Place a putty knife behind the first tile and give the end a tap with a rubber mallet. The grout that binds the tiles together and to the wall needs to be gently removed. A grout scraper can get between the ceramic without cracking them and causing serious damage when you remove the tile backsplash. Just wanted to share how i removed small tile from our kitchen.

Allow to fully dry. Tiles installed with thinset or another tile adhesive often require more work to remove them. Finish sanding the entire wall with 120 grit sand paper on drywall sanding pad. Hold the ice against the tile for a minute or two then try prying.

Once the tile is down take a 5 in 1 tool and scrapper to remove any excess grout. However there is a procedure that will minimize damage to the sheet rock while still allowing you to remove tile at a decent pace. Give it a try by inserting a chisel putty knife or other flat tool in between the tile and the wall almost parallel to the wall. Fill drywall gouges with drywall joint compound and sand it smooth.

Fold the towel around the dry ice and twist the ends to give you a handle.