How To Remove Tile From Bathroom Wall Without Damaging Drywall

Scrape away some of the grout in a long line using a utility knife grout saw or rotary grinder.

How to remove tile from bathroom wall without damaging drywall.

Scrape off mastic with a putty knife. Hold the ice against the tile for a minute or two then try prying. If the drywall sustained any damage during the tile removal process repair it. The extreme cold may make the glue brittle and cause the tile to come off easily.

Fold the towel around the dry ice and twist the ends to give you a handle. This will further loosen the tile reducing the chances of you damaging the drywall behind it when you start removing the tile from the wall. Then make and x motion within the tile with the tile cutter. Then use a utility knife or rotary grinder to scrape away the grout until the spacer lugs between the tiles are visible.

Chisel away tiles instead. When you believe you have removed or cut away most of the grout stop and examine your work. Be careful to cut away only the grout and not into the wall. Pry the tiles loose one at a time by pushing the trowel behind the tile and mastic.

Next use a chisel and hammer to pry the tiles off of the wall. Put on protective gloves and place a piece of dry ice in a towel. This method is slower but allows you to save some of the tiles for reuse. Have the correct tools test out a hidden spot work in small batches making sure to keep your chisel parallel to the wall so that you avoid going directly into the drywall.

The secret to removing tile backsplash easily without damaging the drywall. Place a chisel against the edge of a tile in this line almost flat against a wall and tap with a hammer. Work slowly and at about a 45 degree angle. Cut away the grout surrounding the tile or tiles that you want to remove.

Gently grind off thinset with an oscillating tool equipped with a carbide rasp. Once you have removed the tiles you will see there is an adhesive beneath that is either rock hard or semi soft. The rock hard adhesive will be thinset a cement based product. Carefully use the hammer and putty knife to chisel off the tiles without gouging the drywall.

Be careful not to gouge the drywall any more. You will be peeling the outer paper layer loose from the drywall. You should be able to slide a putty or plaster knife underneath the tile.