How to Remove Tile
Tiles are meant to provide permanent designs to the bathroom floor and walls. Removing them is not easy, given the powerful grip of tile adhesive. You need a saw, scraper, or a hammer and chisel to split and pry the tiles off. Sounds difficult? It’s not as hard as it seems if you apply a few nifty strategies.
Remove Ceramic Tiles on a Concrete Floor
When removing the tiles, you must pulverize the grout holding them together. Not dong so will leave your wall uneven, making the installation of new tiles impossible. A couple of powerful tolls are required to get the job done.
Materials Used:
hammer
cold chisel
sledgehammer
scraper with long handle
vacuum cleaner
broom
grout saw (optional)
Procedure:
Break the tile grout using a hammer and cold chisel. If you plan to remove only one or a few tiles, better use a grout saw for precise cuts.
Once the grout has been removed, crush the tiles using a sledgehammer, which is heavy enough to break through the toughest tile material.
Slip a scraper beneath the crushed tiles and give it a forceful push. Some of the tiles may get dislodged, given that the adhesive and grout have been crushed.
Sweep and vacuum the area.
If you find the job too taxing, you might as well find a companion. He or she can take over once you get tired. By doing so, you can cover more ground.
Removing Tiles on a Backboard
The backing board, which keep the tiles flat and aligned, appear as an extra obstacle. It must also be taken out, if you wish to remove all the tiles. Having strong arms and a long-handled floor scraper will make the job much easier.
Materials Used:
hammer
chisel
floor scraper
Procedure:
Find a starting point, preferably an edge.
Remove the tile grout using a hammer and chisel.
Break the tile then remove it.
Repeat the process until you have removed four more tiles, which exposes the backboard.
Crush the backboard with your hammer until your create an opening that can fit the head of the floor scraper.
Slide the scraper beneath the backboard.
Push and turn the scraper, as you move progress through the board. Continue pushing and turning until you have removed the entire backboard, including the tiles.
When crushing the backboard, be wary of the sub-level beneath it. You will need it to carry a new set of tiles or flooring. Make the necessary repairs, if ever you damage it while removing the tiles.
Removing Individual Tiles
Stained or cracked bathroom tiles mar the entire set’s pattern. When removing them, you must apply careful precision, otherwise you might damage the surrounding tiles. You will need a series of tools designed to make precise cuts.
Materials Used:
grout saw
hammer
cold chisel
flat putty knife
Procedure:
Remove the grout surrounding the damaged or stained tile using a grout saw.
With the grout removed, break the tile with a hammer and a cold chisel. Make the strikes decisive but precise, so as to not hit the other tiles.
Affix the putty blade beneath the crushed tile and scrape off the crushed tile pieces.
After running the putty blade, if crushed tile pieces still remain stuck, you can chip them off with your hammer and chisel. Run the putty knife again, if necessary.
Removing, tedious as it is, is worth all your efforts. Your old set of tiles may be the only things hindering you from turning your bathroom into a pleasurable haven.