Removing a tile backsplash?

Mryan209

Has anyone done this?  What's the best way?  I assume just get a pry bar, rip it off, and patch/replace the damaged drywall?

superchixor

I haven't but have a friend that did and he said it was an absolute nightmare. That it put holes all in the drywall.. I'd be scared! Hire someone for sure!

He Calls Me Cupcake

I'll be doing this myself in mid may........the "pry and pray" method is what I am going with as well...I'll let you know how it turns out

MrsMc1210

I agree... the person doing work for us said that we shouldn't attempt doing the work ourselves, since it will damage the wall behind it.

Mryan209

Oh I know it will damage the wall.  I don't see how it couldn't.  I've read that it's not very difficult to replace the drywall though.  I'm just wondering if there's another method besides prying it off.  Some of what I've read suggested cutting right through the drywall above and below the tile and removing it in sheets.

wealldeservepretty

I did this in our apartment -- I tore out chunks of the wall, but then our super was able to help us patch up the wall behind for not a bad price....http://www.inventingus.com/2010/03/story-of-kitchen.html -- here is some info about that encounter on my very neglected blog.  We're since completely renovated the kitchen, but this is how we made do as we were saving.

FoxinFiji

I would try a wide masonry chisel and hammer first.  A prybar will do more damage but may be needed if the chisel or hammer straight to the tile doesn't work.  A masonry chisel to the thinset behind will keep the wall intact and break the tiles in bigger pieces if not pop some of them off whole.  Otherwise just try to shatter the tile...it will make a big mess but keep your wall much nicer. 

Mryan209

FoxinFiji:

I would try a wide masonry chisel and hammer first.  A prybar will do more damage but may be needed if the chisel or hammer straight to the tile doesn't work.  A masonry chisel to the thinset behind will keep the wall intact and break the tiles in bigger pieces if not pop some of them off whole.  Otherwise just try to shatter the tile...it will make a big mess but keep your wall much nicer. 

Awesome, I was hoping you would chime in! Can I find a masonry chisel at Home Depot? Obviously I would like to keep the wall as intact as possible so I will try both of those methods.  

FoxinFiji

Mryan209:

FoxinFiji:

I would try a wide masonry chisel and hammer first.  A prybar will do more damage but may be needed if the chisel or hammer straight to the tile doesn't work.  A masonry chisel to the thinset behind will keep the wall intact and break the tiles in bigger pieces if not pop some of them off whole.  Otherwise just try to shatter the tile...it will make a big mess but keep your wall much nicer. 

Awesome, I was hoping you would chime in! Can I find a masonry chisel at Home Depot? Obviously I would like to keep the wall as intact as possible so I will try both of those methods.  

Yup they sell them.  Get one with a plastic guard on the back unless you think it won't fit in the space.  They are only a buck or two more and help keep you from hitting your hand.  Sooo worth it!  We use ours all the time for breaking flagstone, cement pavers (used as flower bed edging), and demoing our brick fireplace.  Also pick up a cat's paw if you don't have one.  They are basically a mini-crowbar.  It would work much better in a tiny space.  The thinset behind should be brittle so if you can crack it with the chisel you can get the cat's paw behind to help pull of the tile is as big of pieces as possible.  No personal experience doing it but I've seen people do it on HGTV shows and TOH so it's worth a try.  : )