How to Remove Wall Tiles

To remove wall tiles, you need to apply a technique that is different and more challenging than that used for floor tiles. Wall tiles are placed very closely together with minimal grout lines, which means you have to be more cautious when removing them to avoid damaging the surrounding areas.

Protect yourself and the surrounding area. Wear safety goggles, long sleeves, long pants, and work gloves to shield yourself from sharp tile shards, even if you don't expect to break any tiles. Clean the surrounding area and lay down a cloth or plastic tarp to protect fragile surfaces and make cleanup easier.

• Use wooden boards to shield the shower floor and ceramic bathtub from falling tiles.
• Cover drain holes with tape.

Identify the location where the grout needs to be removed. The following section describes how to remove grout in order to minimize the risk of tile breakage and make tile removal easier. Grout removal can assist with tile removal, but most people save time by only removing grout in the most critical spots:

• If you are only removing one tile, remove the grout surrounding that tile to avoid damaging adjacent tiles.
• If you're removing tiles from an entire wall, you only need to remove grout along the ceiling and floor.

Heat the grout (optional). Grout is usually easy to remove, but if necessary, you can use a heat gun or a hairdryer to soften the grout. If you're only able to remove small portions at a time, heat the grout for 30 seconds before scraping it.

Scrape the grout with a utility knife. This method is time-consuming but carries a lower risk of damaging surrounding tiles. Secure the blade in a handle if available and carefully score around the tile you want to remove.

• Grout saws are generally ineffective for wall tiles because the tiles are closely spaced with interlocking edges beneath the grout.

Use a rotary grinder instead of a knife. A handheld grinder can remove grout faster than a knife, but it’s easier to break tiles if you slip. Set the grinder to its lowest power and grind slowly along the grout line. You can increase the speed if you're able to control the grinder and the tiles don't crack when removed.

• You may need to purchase a smaller grinding disc to fit the gaps between tiles.

Remove grout until the tile interlock is exposed. It’s not necessary to remove all of the grout, but it should be enough to free the tile. At a minimum, remove the grout until the metal interlock is visible.

Look for a loose tile. If you plan to remove tiles from the entire wall, start by tapping the edges of each tile to check if any are loose. The first tile is often the hardest to remove, so take your time to find one that's easier to take out. Once you find a loose one, use one of the following methods to remove it.

• Make sure the tile is in an area where you've removed the grout or in a spot affected by water damage.

Use a chisel to lift the tile off the wall. This method helps you recover the most tiles for reuse, unless they are firmly stuck or recently installed. Try inserting a chisel, grout scraper, or another flat tool into the gap between the tile and the wall, aligning it nearly parallel to the wall. Tap the tool's handle with a hammer until the tile lifts off. You may need to pry at two or three spots if the tile is too secure.

• If the tile shatters but doesn't come off fully, try using a pneumatic chisel.
• Have someone else hold the tile as it lifts (be sure to wear gloves).
• The first tile is usually the hardest to remove. Once it’s out, focus on the edge of the next one. Be cautious near the tile's edge as it can easily crack.

Break the tile if necessary. If the tile is firmly attached with mortar, it may be best to give up on saving it. Start by chiseling a hole in the center of the tile with a hammer and chisel, then break off the cracked pieces, carefully avoiding surrounding tiles.

• Protect your eyes when using this method.
• Ceramic tiles can break into sharp pieces, almost like glass. If this happens, break the tile from the edges using a hammer and chisel to minimize the number of shards.

Remove leftover adhesive material. Use a chisel to scrape off any remaining adhesive until the wall surface is relatively smooth. You might not be able to remove all adhesive and grout, but make sure the new tiles align evenly with the existing ones around them.

Remove any connecting hooks before installing new tiles on the wall. These metal hooks may remain after you've removed the tiles. You can take them out by using pliers to pull them off, cutting them with a utility knife, or smoothing them down with sandpaper.

• Ensure the new tiles match the old ones in size, as they may differ.
• Keep in mind that the first tile is the most likely to break during the removal process.
• Gypsum walls almost always sustain damage when removing tiles. Even if only part of the paper peels off, you'll need to repair it before applying new tiles.