For this step-by-step guide on wall tile removal, we asked tile and DIY experts for their best tips to increase your chances of success; With old, cracked, or uneven tiles, you can then learn how to tile a wall to get the shiny new look.
Says Anna Forden, Head of Purchasing at Walls & Floors (Opens in a new tab). “If you have a friend who can help explain behind you as you go along, the job will be faster and more fun.”
How to remove wall tiles
The ease with which you can remove wall tiles depends on how well you install them in the first place. If the tiler is careful about the adhesive, you may practically find it flaking off once you start working.
Anyway, wall tiles tend to be easier to remove than floor tiles because they are generally thinner and lightweight, plus you’ll get oomph on your part. After doing that, you can invest in new kitchen wall tile ideas and bathroom wall tile ideas.
You may have a few of these items on hand, but we’ve put together a list of the essentials for removing wall tiles.
you will need:
- safety glasses
- protective gloves
- dust mask
- Old cardboard or thick dusting sheets
- hammer or hammer
- broach
- scraper
1. Space protection
The area directly under the wall tiles will need to be well protected from falling debris. Anna Forden of Walls & Floors explains that “sharp tiles falling off the wall in a bathtub, bathtub, or even floors below can cause irreparable damage.” “Cardboard is very good for protecting these areas from falling tiles. It is worth keeping any packages out of the recycling bin in the weeks before starting this job.
Use dust sheets to protect surfaces away from the main work site – you’ll be surprised how much dust and dirt travels as the tiles begin to crumble.
2. Remove the first tiles
Once you have appropriate protective clothing (don’t forget closed-toe shoes), it’s time to determine the best starting point. ‘The perfect place to start is tile that is already loose or has some degree of damage,’ says John Geraghty, tiling expert at My Job Quote. (Opens in a new tab).
If you are unable to locate a broken or loose tile, try to break it apart or tap it with a chisel until it begins to break. “Instead, use a grout rake to scrape grout around the tile until you have a gap wide enough to wedge your chisel,” adds Harriet Goodacre, a tile consultant at Topps Tiles. (Opens in a new tab). “This is also a good way if you’re trying to salvage tiles for reuse.”
One benefit of starting with undamaged tiles is that it gives you more control over the starting point. If you’re right-handed, experts agree it’s best to work from the top left corner of your tiled area, shifting to the right as you work, and slowly move down the wall as each horizontal line of tile is removed. Left-handed people should work in reverse.
3. Lift the tiles from the wall
Once the first tile is cracked enough to cause a chisel into it, you’re in the works. “Put a chisel between the edges of the tile and the wall, and tap lightly with a hammer or mallet until it removes the tile,” advises Abbas Yousefi, a porcelain store manager. (Opens in a new tab). “You may need to chisel in several different places and use the chisel as a lever to pry the tiles away.”
The first tiles are always the hardest, but the following tiles should be removed fairly easily. The deeper you can fit the chisel under the tile, the better chance you have of removing it in large pieces. Chopping into tiny shards of tile is tedious.
If you have help on hand, ask them to try to pick up the larger tiles before they fall. This is especially useful if you are removing heavy natural stone wall tiles or oversized tiles, which can cause damage to the area below no matter how well covered.
4. Arrange the wall
Planning to put tiles on the wall you just worked on? It’s worth taking some time now, while the sheets of dust are still lit, to scrape off all the remaining tile adhesive. Tap any large pieces with a chisel and hammer and use a tile scraper or sander to smooth out any remaining roughness.
If any grout falls off the tile walls, you may need to fill in and sand any holes. An unfinished wall will seriously benefit from having it revetted before new tiles are installed.
5. Cleaning
Gather dust sheets from each corner and carry them outside before emptying the contents into a cardboard box. Even heavy-duty trash bags tend to rip when filled with heavy building waste.
Next, use a dustpan and brush to collect any loose debris that came out of the dust sheets, then go over all surfaces with a vacuum cleaner followed by a damp cloth.
How do I remove one-piece wall tiles?
Sure, salvaging tiles for sale or reuse makes good environmental sense, but it takes learning how to take wall tiles to a new level, and the job will take much longer. The style and quality of the tiles you remove will play a big factor. If they look tired, cracked and outdated, and therefore not likely to be reused, it’s not really worth it.
“Success largely depends on the tiles themselves, the adhesive used and the method of installation,” explains Abbas Youssef, principal at Porcelain Superstore. Larger porcelain tile is difficult to remove without breaking, especially if it is installed correctly with modern porcelain tile adhesive. However, if you’re removing smaller ceramic wall tiles (such as subway tiles) that have been repaired with “ready-mix adhesive,” there’s a good chance you’ll be able to remove the tiles without damaging them.
A grout rake is a useful addition to your tile removal toolbox. Use it to scrape the grout away from all edges of the tile before gently lifting it away from the wall. A specialized tile scraper is also worth the extra expense, as it has a wider, flatter head than a chisel.