Removing Tile From Mud Wall

How to remove ceramic wall tile without damaging drywall.

Removing tile from mud wall. In some cases the only way to tear out the ceramic tile is with heavy equipment such as a jackhammer or air chisel. To do so make sure all of the tiles are intact and secure. Wash the wall with tsp tri. Scrape the grout away with a utility knife.

This method takes a while but comes with a low risk of damaging the surrounding tiles. Please see description for important information. Fit your utility knife in a sturdy holder if you have one and run it carefully and repeatedly around the tile or tiles you plan to remove. Use a ball peen or masonry hammer and cold chisel to tap the pieces free.

Strike the face of stubborn tiles to break them up for easier removal. Repair any loose or cracked tiles. It depends on a lot of variables in place at the time the tile was set but it comes down to how well the tile is bonded to the mortar. Use a 3 4 or 1 in.

Masonry chisel and a 2 lb. Work the chisel under the tiles forcing them loose. Always wear safety glasses when removing ceramic tile. Remove the tile and prepare the wall according to the corresponding instructions above or tile over the existing tile.

Since they are available in a wide. Start at a broken tile or between tiles where the grout has loosened. Ripping the entire substrate away is much faster than removing the tiles piece by piece and if the substrate is a material like drywall it s probably going to be destroyed anyway. Removing tile from older style mortar walls can be very challenging.

Please consider a small donation to support my channel so i can keep bringing you great videos in the futur. Sometimes you can get a flat chisel behind the tiles and pop them off one at a time almost whole. If existing tiles are beyond repair remove the tile and install a piece of wallboard in its place. Consider tearing apart shower walls.

Shower tiles are usually installed over drywall and or thin backerboard over drywall.