How To Remove Old Ceramic Tile Backsplash

Remove outlet covers and cut the electricity to the area where you will be removing the tiles.

How to remove old ceramic tile backsplash.

How to remove kitchen backsplash easily. A grout scraper can get between the ceramic without cracking them and causing serious damage when you remove the tile backsplash. One tip to removing backsplash tile is to go in on an angle so that you do not go directly into the drywall. Place a putty knife behind the first tile and give the end a tap with a rubber mallet.

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. This is where those small chisels will come in handy. The biggest mistake people make when they remove a ceramic tile backsplash is to jump right in and try to pop the tiles off. Use hammer and flat bar to pry existing tiles one at a time from backsplash wall.

Scrape the bare wall clean with a wide blade scraper. This can also be done with the addition of a light sander using fine grade sandpaper. Breaking up the grout will allow the tiles to loosen. However there is a procedure that will minimize damage to the sheet rock while still allowing you to remove tile at a decent pace.

Once those tiles loosen pry them off. The grout that binds the tiles together and to the wall needs to be gently removed. Carefully use the hammer and putty knife to chisel off the tiles without gouging the drywall. Clear the counter so you will have easy access to the backsplash.

Work the grout scraper in a downward motion and work side to side to gently loosen the tile from its hold against the wall.