Good with tiling?

[mistergreen]

So, I'm getting pretty good with tiling floors. But I'm running into an issue.

So there are these ugly tile on the whole wall in the kitchen against the sink. I'm putting new cabinets up there. they'd have to go anyway.

How do I get rid of them in prep for new tiles?
Chisel them and the mortar off or is it better just remove the wall?

[Wasserpest]

Dunno, but this is the place to get advice!

[mistergreen]

thanks for the link. I knew there has to be a tiling forum somewhere.

[airborne_r6]

When I have done it in the past I have always chiseled the tiles off the wall as carefully as possible with a broad chisel to try not to tear up the underlayment too bad. Then you can simply smooth the wall back out with drywall mud before putting the new tile up. Make sure you wear some good thick gloves. I usually end up breaking some of the tiles and I ended up with a really nasty cut last time I did it because I had forgot my gloves.

[Coltonorr]

Hey mistergreen,
when I worked construction we had a similar project...we used small pry bars and stripped the wall...but don't pry, you'll go through the drywall behind

[Feral]

Originally Posted by airborne_r6

When I have done it in the past I have always chiseled the tiles off the wall as carefully as possible with a broad chisel to try not to tear up the underlayment too bad.

+1

I usually "carefully" smash with a hammer and take the chunks out with a chisel.

[DaveS]

When I did my bathroom I just took the whole wall, tile and all. I started by removing the tile and decided it would be easier and quicker to just replace the dry wall.

-Dave

[ingg]

Yeah, removing the drywall is a PITA when cabinets are in the mix though. Not the same as a sheet of drywall or two in a bathroom.

Slow and sure with a thin pry bar or heavy bladed spatula sort of thing is the way to do it. Get it as smooth as you can, then skin it with mud.

It stinks to do.

[gmccreedy]

Chisel and hammer from behind usually does the trick. you can use a blowtorch and heat lightly to loosen any adhesive behind it (only if this is practical though). Any minor damage to drywall behind usually can be compensated for in the new tile adhesive of the new tiles (within reason of course).

[DaveS]

Originally Posted by ingg

Yeah, removing the drywall is a PITA when cabinets are in the mix though. Not the same as a sheet of drywall or two in a bathroom.

I was under the impression new cabinets were being installed anyways. If that's the case, might as well just put a new wall up at the same time.

-Dave

[mistergreen]

Thanks for the input.. I'll give some of the tiles a whack to see how easy it is..
The wall extends out to an overhang and could be a pain to redo.

I'll take the path of least effort... ha.
I'll go ahead and finish up and grout the floor tiles.

[mistergreen]

Originally Posted by DaveS

When I did my bathroom I just took the whole wall, tile and all. I started by removing the tile and decided it would be easier and quicker to just replace the dry walls.

-Dave

hope you used cement board for the walls by the bathtub. it'll extend the life of your wall.


And update on the tiling issue. I decided to chisel the tiles off. That was the easy part but removing the polymer based grout & mortar they used were a big ol' pain. The thing was pretty much glue. I was on the verge of replacing the whole wall until I had an idea this morning.

I sprayed the wall with water, let the plaster soak it up.. Wouldn't you know, the grout pealed off pretty easily.