About Removing Bathroom Wall Tile

When it is time to install new bathroom wall tile, taking down the old wall tile is a necessary part of the job. While it can be messy and time consuming, it is not very hard to do. You will just need the right tools, a putty knife, mallet, gloves, dust mask, safety glasses and a grout removal tool is all that you will need.

• Wear heavy-duty gloves to protect your hands from being cut, a dust mask to keep you from breathing in the dust created from the broken tiles, and safely glasses to keep your eyes protected from any tile pieces that chip off.


• While a grout removal tool is fine for removing grout, if you want to get the job done faster and easier, you can use a Dremmel. You can also buy a grout removal bit to use on your drill.


• If you are removing tile around the bath tub area, it is a good idea to use a drop cloth in the tub to keep the tub from being scratched by falling pieces of tile. You may also want to place a second one on the floor for protection.


• Remember that tile is heavy, it is better to use several smaller bins to dispose of the tile, than to use one large bin. You may find yourself unable to lift the bin if you try to fill one large bin up.


• When removing grout, work on areas of about five tiles at one time. To remove the grout, place the larger pointed end of the removal tool into the grout and begin scraping.


• Once the grout is removed, press the putty knife under the corner of a tile and tap it with the rubber mallet to loosen and remove the tile. As you take out more tiles, the job gets easier. The first few tiles are the hardest.


• After the tiles on the wall are removed, any adhesive still left on the wall will have to be taken off before you can hang new tiles or paint the wall.