When renovating their bathroom space, customers usually choose to change their old wall tiles, whether due to wear and tear, damage, or a desire for a fresh look. However, some attempt to remove the bathroom tiles for a cheaper makeover later, only to end up damaging the walls further, requiring expensive reshaping, plastering, or even replacing the walls altogether. To have a better result and smoother operation, we’ll demonstrate step-by-step how to remove tile from wall in your bathroom with minimum to no damage.

How to Remove a Tile From The Wall: Step-by-Step Guide

Bathroom Prep Before Tile Removal:

At the beginning, take any removable item out of the bathroom if possible to carry. Then cover all porcelain and ceramic fixtures, bathtub, sink, and accessories. Power off the water supply and remove all faucets and shower heads.  Do not forget to cover the sink and shower drains as excess dust can cause drainage problems. Protect the floor and ceramic surfaces with cardboard or foam floor protectors so they would not break if a shard or tile falls on them, and make cleanup easier. 

The bathroom is the most humid and water-damage-prone place in the home. It is a reason to be careful during the removal of wall tiles as mould and parasites or pest infections can be behind them. This is usually the cause of using non-waterproof grout between the bathroom wall tiles. To set up for this issue, make sure all the wall tiles are spotless and dry them with a blow dryer or a heat gun, this will also soften the grout and make it easier to remove each tile from the wall effortlessly.

Safety Precautions:

Now that the floors and accessories are safe, it is important to protect oneself from accidents during the project. Wear a long-sleeved shirt, pants, and eye goggles to protect your skin and eyes from possible shards flying out or dust. Wear heavy-duty gloves, preferably thick fabric or leather. Make sure to wear a face dust mask to safeguard against dust and debris, more serious measures if you have respiratory issues.

Tile Removal Tools:

Masonry Chisel/grout scraper or heavy-duty knife: used for grating in between the tile and removing the grout. Widely available in all hardware stores. If you are more comfortable with heavy-duty, a mini rotary grinder can work faster on the grout if you have more control. If you want a cheaper alternative, a paint scraper or a large flathead screwdriver can do the job. Just be mindful of their sturdiness to avoid extra damage to the wall and tiles. If you do not wish to invest in such tools, a used butter knife can do the trick, although it can be more time-consuming.

Rubber Mallet or hammer: always use with chisels to gently tap the chisel. A rubber mallet is best since it is more gentle and easily controlled, but it can be on the pricier side. To have the same result with a cheaper hammer, put a cloth around its head and make sure you tap softly and not use extra force.

Crowbar: or any other flat paint stirrer or chisel, whatever will help you remove the tiles carefully. Use a pneumatic chisel if the tiles are too big and you do not want to break them.

Heat gun: is optional to soften the grout and tile adhesive. To lower the cost of the project you can use a blow dryer.

Full Process: How To Remove Tile from wall damage-free

Now that your bathroom is ready, you took care of safety measures, and you have the tools at hand, comes the labor work. Here are steps and tips on how to remove tile from the wall without damaging the drywall behind:

Pick a Place to Start:

First, you need to know which area to start grouting. To remove all tiles, start loosening the grout near the floor or ceiling first. However, if you are only removing some of them, look for places where the grout looks worn out or water-damaged, as those can be easily chiseled away and start from there.

Loosen Wall Tiles and Remove Grout:

Use the masonry chisel and the rubber mallet to cut through the grout. If it is taking a lot of time to get scraped, use a heat gun for half a minute and try again. Slowly and carefully, remove the grout on the edges of the tile. Gently tap until the tile spacers appear.

How to Remove Tile Adhesive from Wall:

Once the tile is loosened, if the adhesive isn’t sticking directly to the drywall or water-damaged area, the tile can be easily removed by gently tapping the edges with a hammer until it loosens.. Nevertheless, if the adhesive is strong and properly placed, you can use a heat gun again to loosen it.

Nonetheless, you can use an air-powered chisel on the sides of the tiles. When you feel like the tile is unbound, use a flat crowbar or knife to gradually remove it. The first tile is the hardest; once it’s removed, you can gradually chisel away the edges of the remaining tiles after removing the grout from the corners.

Clean up:

Clean the debris and dispose of the tile shards carefully to avoid accidents. When it comes to adhesive still stuck on the wall, you can use warm water and a tad bit of soap, use a damp cloth or a brush to run it across the tile adhesive, and then start scraping away with a paint scraper. If it is a harder adhesive, you can use solution sprays on it. Make sure the bathroom is well-aired.

Usual Damage and Repairs

Wall Imperfections:

Even with caution, one can simply make mistakes and damage the wall. Behind those tiles, we can find moisture-resistant plasterboard, cement-backer boards, brick, block, stud, lime plaster, or rendered masonry walls. It depends on how old the home is as well. These are usually the proper walls to use when tiling the bathroom. On the other hand, if the drywall shows minor damage, it can be easily repaired. With small holes, you can easily fill them with joint compound or lightweight spackle.

Mould Infections:

One can find mould leakage on the drywall after removing the tiles and adhesive. In this scenario, make sure you have your safe gear on! Check if the mould penetrated the wall (the plaster or wood). If the damage is only on the surface level, use a powerful mould spray. Scrub the area very well, and wait until it completely dries. If the mould damage is severe, get rid of that part of the wall completely, as it is a health hazard. Ensure more ventilation in your bathroom area during the renovation.

Prioritize finding out the reason behind the water leakage and verify all the pipes. Use moisture-resistant walls as we can install cost-effective options for you. Ultimately, if you decide to have tiles again, you can always use anti-mould sealant to connect between the tiles. Additionally, improve the ventilation system in your bathroom, and we can discuss the best option for your space later on.

Pest Infections:

If you find pests, first identify the type infesting your bathroom walls. After completing that step, clean the area thoroughly of any nests or eggs. After, use powerful pesticides for that specific pest found, or you can use home remedies that work against them. Then seal every possible entry area, all the gaps, and damage done by those pests using joint compound or caulk.

Alternative Wall Restoration:

After removing the tiles and prepping the wall, apply a mould primer to prevent further damage. Once you feel that your DIY project is done, you can contact us, your renovator, to finish remodeling your bathroom. Consider one of these options that we offer to transform your bathroom wall space:

Bathroom Wall Tiles:

If you want to keep the same vibe of having tiles but want to achieve a more vibrant and modern look, we supply PVC wall panels. They come in different widths and cater to various designs and colors, giving your bathroom a clean look. There is also the option of slat panels, which provide a modern, linear aesthetic suitable for contemporary and minimalist bathroom styles. Plus, 3D effect panels add structure and depth to your bathroom. 

Adhesive Wall Tiles:

We used adhesive tiles in many projects. They give you the liberty to pick different colors and styles while still being on a budget and they are so easy to pop on and create a brand new look for your bathroom. For more makeover ideas on a budget like painting and accessorising your bathroom walls, check our blog!

Bathroom Wall Tiles Disposing Methods

You can repurpose your old wall tiles to protect our environment! Ideas for using those tiles are to break them into small pieces and create mosaic art, make small coasters or trivets for hot pots and pans, frame mirrors or photographs, use them for garden or porch paths, decorate flower pots, or recycle them into flooring for another project. You can be creative with what you have, or you can clean and resell or donate them. This way you will have a low carbon footprint, and minimize waste!

FAQ

• Can you remove the bathroom tile without damaging the wall?

Yes! all you have to do is follow the steps in this guide but most importantly, have patience and do not use force.

• How to remove adhesive on tile from a wall without damaging it?

You simply heat up the tile with a heat gun to soften the adhesive, then it should come off slowly using a flat crowbar or knife until the tile is safely popped out.

• How to prepare a wall after removing tile?

Firstly, you check if the area is infected with either mould or pests. If that is taken care of, you need to prime your walls for whatever you desire to add to your new space. Luckily, our team at 69-71 Higher Parr Street, Saint Helens offers various designs and choices to your bathroom renovation. We work efficiently and respect your privacy and value your time. Our fitters can finish the renovation in 4 days, tidy up each day, and provide a 12 month warranty. We care about your budget, experience full-scale renovations for as little as £3,600 Get your free quote now and watch your dream space come to life.