Before you start chipping away with your chisel and hammer, check how the tile is secured to the wall. Ideally, you will encounter mortar and grout. Check this by finding a tile that is behind an appliance or that is not easily noticed. Carefully remove it from the wall to see how it has been secured. Once you confirm it is mortar and grout, continue the backsplash removal process outlined below.
If there is no mortar consider yourself lucky. Some imitation “tile” is installed in sheets with adhesive backing. If this is the case, simply tear the sheets of the wall. Be careful not to damage the wall if you’re not installing a new backsplash.
Collect Your Tools
To remove your tiles, you will need:
- a chisel
- hammer
- putty knife with a stiff blade
- stud finder
- sanding block with 120-grit sandpaper
- spackle or repair putty
You may not need the sanding block or repair putty depending on how much damage is left from pulling the tiles off your wall.
You will also need to cover your counters and sink with cardboard or plastic to ensure you do not damage your countertops or get any pieces of tile in your garbage disposal.
Carefully Remove Tiles
First, use the stud finder to locate a stud and mark this as your starting point. If you start with a tile situated over a stud, you have a lower chance of pulling drywall off. Next, use your chisel and hammer to carefully remove the tiles from the wall. Use the end of the chisel and hammer to pry off the tiles between the backer board and the tile. Once you clear a starting section, use the putty knife and hammer to get behind the pieces of tile. Depending on the tile and mortar, you may need to use the chisel for this entire process.
Repair the Walls
After removing the tiles, you may have some excess mortar or grout on your wall. You may also spot some damaged drywall. This is when the sanding block and spackle come in handy. Fill in any damaged areas with the spackle, allow to fully dry, and then sand the area. If you’re applying a new backsplash you can skip any cosmetic repairs, but will need to patch any large holes (bigger than a tennis ball).
