If you are also looking to renovate and remodel your kitchen and bathrooms, one of the best ways to create a transformation is by changing the tiles and ceramics. Just be sure to cover the sink, cabinets, and areas that might get damaged during tile removal with a board or a sturdy object.
To repair a chipped tile, there's no need to replace all the tiles to maintain the floor and wall's order and beauty. You can remove the surrounding area of the chipped tile, taking out the cement around and beneath it, and replace it with a new tile.
Just make sure the new tile is leveled with the rest of the surface to avoid any bumps. Specific tools are required for removing and demolishing tiles. In this article, we will introduce you to the methods of removing wall tiles and floor tiles.
How to Separate and Demolish Tiles and Ceramics
Removing the first row of wall tiles and floor tiles is always the hardest. The best way to start is to find loose or detached tiles and begin from there. If there are no loose tiles, you can break a tile with a chisel and then remove the other tiles.
For the other rows, place the chisel under the tile and on the cement, then hammer it to loosen the adhesive or cement underneath.
This way, you can easily remove the tile. Remember to use safety gear like helmets, safety shoes, goggles, and gloves while removing tiles, as the edges are sharp and can fly off during removal.
Methods of Removing Tiles
Removing Tiles Using Heat: With tools like industrial hair dryers or heat torches, you can loosen the adhesive under the tiles and ceramics, making them easier to remove. Keep in mind that once the adhesive loosens, the tile might fall off.
Using an Angle Grinder: If there is no gap for removing the tile, you can use an angle grinder to open up the seams between the tiles.
Removing Tiles by Hand: Loose tiles can be removed by hand, but make sure to use gloves and safety gear.
Using an Electric Hammer: This tool can speed up the work significantly. Just be careful not to damage the floor and walls.
Best Method for Removing Wall Tiles
The best method is the one that causes the least damage to the tiles and ensures all safety precautions are taken. It’s better to choose a method that doesn’t require a lot of time to remove the wall tiles.
Safety precautions should always be a priority. Imagine not wearing safety shoes while removing wall tiles, and the hammer or a broken tile falls on your foot. To avoid such risks, always follow safety guidelines.
If you don't need to keep the tiles intact, you can use a hammer to break them. You can use ear protection to reduce discomfort. Avoid using a sledgehammer if you want to protect the subfloor and foundation.
You should separate the mortar or cement with a chisel by placing its edge under the tile mortar and hammering it firmly to separate it from the ground. Ensure all the mortar is removed from the surface before placing new tiles.
Using a demolition hammer (Hilti) increases the speed and makes it easy to remove hard parts like plaster, cement, tiles, and wall soil. Due to the electrical nature of this tool, paying special attention to safety is crucial, as statistics show that neglecting safety when using a demolition hammer can result in serious injuries.
Steps for Removing Wall Tiles and Ceramics
- Step One : Covering the Furniture: The area will get dirty and dusty while removing tiles, so it’s better to cover all furniture with plastic or cloth before starting. Close all doors and vents, and only keep the windows open.
- Step Two : Find Loose or Broken Tiles: Start removing wall tiles from the row with loose or broken tiles.
- Step Three : Choose the Removal Method: Depending on the type of tile, choose the appropriate removal method. Tiles attached with mastic don’t break and can even be reused.
- Step Four : Difficult Tiles: Some tiles are hard to remove, especially those attached with cement, requiring more chiseling and hammering.
Tools for Removing Wall Tiles
For removing wall tiles, especially in small spaces where one can do it themselves, the following tools are needed. Removing tiles and ceramics doesn’t require special skills, but choosing the right tools and method is crucial.
- Hammer
- Chisel
- Safety gear
- Mason’s hammer
- Industrial vacuum cleaner
- Wheelbarrow
- Broom
Sometimes, it’s not necessary to remove the tiles, as you can adhere new tiles directly onto the old ones using adhesive and materials for ceramics.
A hammer chisel is an electronic device similar to a hammer that operates manually. These chisels come in different sizes depending on their application.
For example, a manual chisel for removing floor tiles is larger than one for walls. Be sure to use a mask in large projects where smoke and gas are inhaled. If you don't have a chisel, you can use the back of a claw hammer to lift tiles or ceramics.
Where to Get Tile Removal Tools? Today, new products and tools in the field of building materials are regularly introduced to the market, greatly aiding users in all construction, demolition, and renovation processes.
Some stores across the country rent out these tools or even recommend skilled individuals for wall tile removal. With these products and tools, many tasks have become easier and quicker, minimizing damage and loss. For example, removing tiles with a demolition hammer (Hilti) is faster than using a chisel.
Reasons to Follow All Safety Precautions Before discussing the methods of removing tiles and ceramics, it's best to first familiarize yourself with safety precautions to ensure the tile removal process is done smoothly and without injury.
- Safety Gloves : When removing tiles, use high-resistance gloves to protect against impacts and falling tiles.
- Safety Helmet : If the wall height is considerable, you must wear a safety helmet to prevent tiles from falling on your head.
- Safety Goggles : Using safety goggles prevents irreversible damage, as small ceramic pieces or mortar particles may fly towards your eyes during tile removal.
- Safety Shoes : Adhering to this safety measure protects your feet from injury. Even if something falls on your feet, the high-resistance shoes will protect them.
Lastly, use appropriate tools that are fully functional and well-chosen. For example, if using an angle grinder, ensure its discs are secure and in good condition. These issues must be taken seriously to avoid any problems.
Buying and Choosing Floor and Wall Tiles After removing the old tiles and cleaning the area, it’s time to select new tiles. Porcelain floor tiles are one of the best options due to their waterproof and dense nature, making them stand out compared to other tiles.
Today, there are many diverse tiles designed for decoration and renovation, but the important factor in choosing tiles is their color and how they blend with the environment. Reasons for choosing porcelain wall tiles include their reasonable price and excellent quality.
- Applications of Tiles and Ceramics
- Bathrooms
- Kitchens
- Bedrooms and living rooms
- Outdoor spaces
Additionally, for removing matte, polished, semi-polished, and sugar effect tiles, pay attention to the mortar and adhesive to find the appropriate method. Nowadays, removing wall tiles is as easy as pie. Whenever you are dissatisfied with your home tiles for any reason, you can change them to create and implement a new decor for yourself.
Conclusion This guide explained how to remove wall tiles and ceramics and discussed various methods for tile removal. We also talked about safety precautions and the reasons for following them to ensure a safe and successful tile removal process.
We hope this guide has taught you the method of tile and ceramic removal so you can do it yourself. If you need help with removing tiles in your home, you can seek assistance online or by visiting reputable websites.