How to Remove Kitchen Tiles?

Grout Removal

Before removing your kitchen tile, you'll need to remove the grout. The best way to do this is by using a masonry hammer and chisel to chip away at the grout and remove it from the joints. Remove all of the grout between each individual tile. This process can be time-consuming but is necessary if you want a clean slate after completing your new project! There are many different methods for removing grout, but I prefer using a grout saw tool because it makes short work of this job!

Personal Protective Equipment

You’ll want to wear eye, hand, and foot protection when removing grout.

Masonry Hammer

A masonry hammer is a heavy, blunt-nosed hammer that can break up tiles and other masonry materials. A chisel can also work, but it will take longer since you must use more force to break up the material. A masonry hammer is also useful for prying off larger tiles if you have trouble getting them out with just your hands or a chisel.

Grout Saw

A grout saw is an electric or manual tool that cuts through tile grout without damaging the tile itself. You’ll need this tool if there are any pipes behind your tile backsplash or countertop because they often run right through the middle of these areas and can make it difficult to remove them manually with a chisel or hammer alone. If you’re unsure whether there are pipes behind your backsplash or countertop, use a grout saw just in case so that you don’t damage anything important when trying to remove your old tile.

Reciprocating Saw

You can easily remove the grout around your tile with a reciprocating saw. The saw is great for cutting through the tile but not so great for cutting through the grout. If you don't have access to a reciprocating saw, you can use a utility knife or even just break the pieces of tile apart by hand.

Tile Removal

A hammer and chisel are two of the best tools for removing tiles from your kitchen floor or countertops. You'll also want a crowbar, which helps pry up stubborn tiles that won't budge with just your hands. Wear safety glasses when working with these tools — they'll protect your eyes from any flying debris thrown up by hitting the tile with the hammer and chisel.

Tile Backsplash

Consider taking out your old backsplash before installing new tile — it'll make things much easier on yourself down the road! If you decide to leave it in place, measure all sides of each piece and its height from top to bottom — this will ensure that everything fits together perfectly once installed again.

Tile Countertop

Tile countertops are the easiest to remove. The tiles are usually held with a thin layer of adhesive, which can be removed with a razor blade. If the tiles are not secured with glue but rather by grout, you'll need to break those apart first. This requires some patience and muscle power.

Once you've picked off the tiles, clean up any leftover adhesive and grout residue with a wet rag or sponge. A quick pass-through with a shop vac will help remove dust and debris from the area under your cabinets and appliances.

Tiles Beneath Cabinets/Appliances

Suppose you have tiles directly beneath your kitchen cabinets or appliances such as dishwashers, ovens, or refrigerators. In that case, it's best to let an expert handle this part of the process for you because there may be materials that could be dangerous if handled incorrectly (like asbestos).

More Tips

Use care when removing flooring from under cabinets or appliances. If there is any chance they will come loose during the tile removal process, you should disconnect them first and save them for reinstallation later.

Shop vac

Be sure to clean up any dust or debris as you go along so that it doesn't become airborne and irritate your lungs when working in an enclosed space like a kitchen. You can use a shop vac if necessary.

Skill Level

Removing kitchen tile is more difficult than removing wall tile because kitchens are often larger than bathrooms and other rooms in your home. This means there is more space between tiles, making it harder to get a good grip on them without accidentally breaking them off at their base (called spalling). This can happen even with professional tools like diamond blades on circular saws, so don't try this alone if you're not experienced!

Budget

Budget for the job in advance. You don’t want to run out of money halfway through the project, so be sure to have the funds available before starting anything.

Ask For Help

Ask for help from friends or family members who may have more experience than you do with home improvement projects like this one. If you’re lucky enough to have someone like this, don’t hesitate to ask them for assistance! You can also always turn to the professionals at The Junk Tycoons.

The Junk Tycoons

Planning and executing a tile removal can be an intimidating experience for the uninitiated, but it need not be that way. With companies like The Junk Tycoons, you can rest assured that your removal project will go off without a hitch. So get up, get out, and enjoy the results of your hard work, knowing that you have left your home in capable hands with an experienced Junk Hauler.