Removing tile backsplash can seem like an impossible task but in reality, it is not that difficult (most of the time). There are certain ways of doing this the best and easiest way possible depending on how your tile was placed on your wall.
In this article, I am going to share my knowledge of doing a tile tear out the best possible way as well as the easiest way possible.
Tools Needed For Removing Tile Backsplash:
All of the tools listed above are necessary to successfully remove the tile from your walls. All of the links above are affiliate links and we do earn a small commission at no extra charge to you.
Was it glued using liquid nails or mastic? If it was liquid nails then you have a hard job ahead of you and if it was mastic then you should be good to begin.
If Liquid Nails glue was used I always cut the sheetrock and replace it with new sheetrock which is much easier but more expensive. You can tear out the tile but it tends to be more difficult compared to other tile adheisives.
The tile was never meant to come off and that is why using Liquid Nails is ok to use but it can be horrible if you ever plan to replace.
Mastic is my preferred adhesive for tile backsplash. It is great for every possible tile you would want to use in your kitchen. Even the fancier trendy tiles.
If mastic was used to install the tile in your home then please jump for joy because you are in for smooth and quick tile removal. It is ok to scream in excitement. Trust me.
You can lay your new tile on top of your old tile but I do not recommend doing this. If you expect the tile to never be changed again in the future then it may be the best option however if you think you may want to remodel it again one day then I advise that you tear out your old tile first.
Also, laying tile on top of old tile could cause there to be less space on your kitchen countertops, or overall. This could cause the space you are laying tile to look smaller.
The best way to remove your tile backsplash is to chisel at it using the pry bar and 5 in 1 scraper mentioned above. You will need to keep at it and figure out a method to get as much done as fast as possible as this job will exhaust your energy pretty fast.
Some tiles will fall off pretty easily while others aren't so easy. Just stay at it and focus on the end result.
If you are removing the sheetrock then you will need to consult a professional as there are live wires behind the wall which can hurt you and even kill you. If you decide to do this on your own be sure to cut the sheetrock on the studs using an oscillating saw like this one. This saw can even be helpful at getting behind the tile if you are removing tile only and not tearing out the sheetrock.
If you are tearing out the sheetrock be sure to cut as straight as possible so that you can have an easier time replacing the sheetrock. If you have a bunch of messed up and not so straight cuts there will be a lot of work filling these areas.
Also, a piece of sheetrock is pretty heavy on its own but when you add tile and grout the weight increases substantially. Be sure to have help and be sure to hold the wall upright so it does not fall on you.
You can remove tile without damaging your drywall. It will likely pull out chunks of drywall which can be filled. This is not a huge concern at all so do not worry about these areas.
There is a risk of the drywall being old and thin which may cause you to have to replace the drywall. It is very easy to chunk out enough of your drywall that will cause you to replace some areas of your drywall.
The glue used to adhere the tile to the wall will play a huge role in how easy the tile comes off.
