4 Tips for Removing Wall Tile

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If you are planning on removing wall tile for your next project, here are a few tips that will help the process go smoothly.

Removing One Tile

If you are only taking off one tile because it is broken or cracked then you will have to work very slowly and carefully to make sure that you aren't harming any of the nearby tiles that do not need to be taken off. Using a handheld grinder will allow you to get in there, with the special small head, and knock out one of the tiles without touching the ones nearby. The grinder will get the grout out and allow you to slide the tile out.

Removing one tile is also common when you are doing a decorating project and just filling in that space with a different tile. If that is the case you will want to be even more careful to make sure that the wall is not damaged and the tile that you are taking off stays intact. The best way to do this is to take your time.

Removing the Adhesive with Ease

One of the hardest parts of removing a tile or many tiles without damaging the others around is actually pulling the tile off after you have removed the grout around it. The best way to accomplish this task is to slide a thick sheet of something between the tile and the wall and force it out. This will allow you to remove the adhesive slowly. Typically, if you do it slowly you will be able to pop the tile right off, just be careful not to use too much force otherwise you might end up breaking tiles near it.

Removing Several Tiles

This task becomes much easier when you have to remove a lot of tiles at once because you don't have to worry as much about cracking the good ones around the one you are removing. If you are planning to recycle the tiles and reuse them for the same space or for a different project then you will want to accomplish this task in the same way that you would go about removing one tile at a time. However, if you are just getting rid of the tiles after the project is finished then you can remove them with the same handheld grinder but you will not have to work as carefully. You do want to make sure that you are watching the wall behind so that you are doing as little damage as possible. You will have to repair it before moving on with your remodeling so being careful with a drill or grinder is the best bet.

Wear Safety Gloves and Glasses

Many people are used to the outside feel of the tile and since it is smooth, they don't think about wearing safety glasses and gloves. However, this is one of the most dangerous common household remodeling injuries because people don't think to protect themselves from the sharp edges of the tile and the small pieces that can break off and hit you.