Removing Bathroom Wall Tiles

[1976]

Anyone got any hints on emoving wall tiles from the bathroom. Just bought a flat and have already removed tongue and groove panelling and revealed tiles! Have started removing them from the bath level upwards and they now won't budge. Have been using a hammer and a chisel / wall paper scraper and have bruises all over hands and a few blood blisters too! Also, is there a way to stop them falling to the ground as its really scary!! Hope ya can help...

[smudge]

Now you know why the previous owners put up tongue & groove!

[dorisday]

We have just renovated our entire house. Apart from taking a sledge hammer to a yorkstone fire place, getting the tiles off the bathroom and kitchen was the worst job. I don't think there is an easy way. Once they are up, they are up. We had to completley replaster before we could put up new tiles. As for them falling to the ground, try finding an old duvet or big bed cover to lay on the floor.I don't envy you at all. Good Luck

[DrWu]

For gods sake don't use a wallpaper scraper! You can get wide bladed chisels from B&Q that might be easier on the hands! Get some safety glasses too for the chips that come flying off into your eyes!

[Lindy Loo]

Good point DrWu about the safety glasses. Those wide chisels you're talking about are called 'bolsters' and are generally used for cutting bricks. Chisels are for woodwork!! And yes you probably will have to re plaster. The reason the tiles are stuck fast is in older houses they were often put up with cement...!!

[1976]

thanks for the advice. i went out last night and bought some safety goggles! Think another solution will be to get my dad to do it....!

[Lindy Loo]

That's cheating Ruthy!!! (But exactly what I would do) Good luck!!!

[New Forester]

I've done this job a few times, and quite often find it's quickest to knock off the plaster with the tiles, then replaster afterwards. If the plaster is not completely sound it'll probably happen anyway. Plastering is a difficult job for an amateur (you should see my attempts...), and it is one where getting a professional in may be both much quicker and much better -- the shiny new tiles really show the bumps!

[kgreel]

Use a wallpaper steamer - it loosens the adhesive and the tiles almost fall off. The rest of the adhesive can be steamed and scraped off too.