Home renovation is a draining assignment, especially when it has to be done without any trained assistance and guidance. It can be mentally challenging as it can be chaotic and messy, leading to more complex tasks surpassing the budget. Without professional knowledge, property can be damaged as different tools and equipment are used. It includes a change of space, altering the entire arrangement and features of the house, and ultimately transforming the layout and design. Similarly, a bathroom redo will be costly as well as time-consuming. The trick is to upgrade features that complement your styles and routines, adding features that render convenience.
Make sure to incorporate the following before starting with the project.
- Lump hammer
- Chisel
- Vacuum
- Trowel
- Glasses
- A mask
- Knee pads
If you prepare all the tools, you can start to remove tiles.
How to Remove Tile From Wall?
To remove tiles from the wall, you need to do the following steps:
- Turn off the water supply in the bathroom
- Shut off the electrical power from the bathroom
- Start using a hammer and chisel from the upper corner to remove tiles (up to down).
Please see the video on how to remove tiles from the wall:
How to Remove Tile From Concrete Floor?
To remove tile from the concrete floor, prepare tools and do these steps:
- Work the chisel between the tiles and the concrete, hammering them up with a 2-
lb - Smooth the old concrete using spread thin-set mortar over the concrete
- Chisel and scrape the adhesive off the concrete
- Place the chisel against the bottom edge of adjacent tiles, apply pressure with your hammer, and the tiles should pop up quickly.
Bathroom renovation and remodeling include removing the tiles, which can be overwhelming. A multitude of challenges is unleashed if a single layer of tile is removed or scraped from the floor, making it overpriced and time-consuming. If you want to remove tiles on your own and without professional skill, expect a plethora of experiments, challenges, work noise, and dust on the way. Depending on the construction process, the tile may be attached through bare cement, plywood, mason board, or even a previously under-layered floor. Whatever formulates the tile floor’s underlayer, removing them is a laborious process in some scenarios, such as the tile cracks, leaving a break or crack in between. The first step is to analyze the tile’s general condition and locate the principal issue behind the stains and cracks of ceramic tiles. Next, try hiring a ceramic tile contractor to remove the old tile and install a new one covering the floor walls and countertops.
The cost of removing the tiles depends on the size of the bathroom and the expertise required. Along with expenses, you must also take care of the tools necessary to initiate the project. Begin by removing the fixtures and emptying the room for easy tile removal. Turn off the water supply before taking out the sink and toilet seat. Be careful when removing the seat, remove the bolt, and rock the fixture to break the wax seal. Locate a starting point and choose a sensible way to begin with, especially if you have a vanity, countertops, or a semi-permanent fixture; otherwise, you will have access to bare edges, acting as a good point for tile removal. If the tile is wall-to-wall, it is essential to use a hammer or a chisel to break it and create a starting point.
After pinpointing the commencement point, start pulling it up and reducing the clutter or mess by accumulating it in the basket. In some bathrooms, tiles are directly attached to the concrete floor, but the mortar or plywood underlayer is typical and usual in most bathrooms. If the underlayer is damaged or needs to be renovated, it should be removed immediately. You will notice debris and mess beneath the layer, which needs to be properly cleaned along with the exposed nails after tile removal to achieve a clean, flat surface. Use a broom or a vacuum to remove the small particles and check for any bumps.
Tile removal can be an intimidating task, but it can be performed quickly after a thorough analysis. A few things need to be considered, such as eliminating grout and caulk before the tile removal, which can easily be performed with a utility knife. The grout should be removed; however, hot glue would be required for caulk removal as it can be softened with heat. If grout and caulk are removed without hassle, the tile removal may be completed without delay. However, professional help would be required if you cannot correctly handle grout and caulk removal.
Similarly, once the tiles are uninstalled, the underlayer must be scrubbed and prepared. It consists of adhesive and cement, which can be removed with a unique methylene chloride-based formula. This is a toxic element, and immense caution is required with the presence of a well-ventilated area. Damaged or already cracked tiles are much easier to remove than fixed ones. However, removing the tile cleanly will also make the surface preparation of the underlayer convenient and less complicated. Removal of countertops is tricky as they are mounted on backer board, plywood, or mortar but can be protected with wire mesh. An increased or extra layer of adhesion is present on the counter tiles, making it difficult to remove the fixed tile, so the only practical way for countertop tile removal is through the diamond blade saw.
Removing tile flooring can be a DIY project unless asbestos is involved. In this scenario, the main danger lies in the asbestos removal, not the process of tile scraping. It can be poisonous and dangerous when mixed with the air, making breathing hard. The ideal way to carefully manage the asbestos exclusion is to seal or cover it with epoxy floor paint. It will make asbestos fiber less dangerous by keeping it intact. In addition, appropriate tools are required if you are considering a DIY tile removal project.
Despite doing a DIY project or consulting a professional expert, safety is the principal priority before beginning. Before you start to break the tiles, you will be attacked by tiny ceramic pieces of porcelain or glass, which can be a safety hazard. Before they start flying away, prepare yourself by wearing safety goggles, masks, and protective gloves. Try protecting the bath, sink, or shower trays before the big pieces of tiles start flying away, damaging the bathroom utilities. Whether made from ceramic, metal, or plastic, they have a chance to get damaged or receive scratches, so it is essential to cover them up. You can use cardboard to cover up these spaces and for extra protection, or use an old sheet.
Tile removal can be challenging at first, but if you are confident about the results and have assistance, there is no harm in taking up the DIY project. However, it would be best if you were fully prepared for the mess and time it will take to redo the entire bathroom floor because you have unleashed a time-consuming task as soon as you start scraping off a single tile.
From 2022 onwards, Mark has also been contributing author of home repair articles at nimblefreelancer.com.
Read more on Mark Brown's biography page.
Contact Mark: mark@nimblefreelancer.com