How would I prepare a wallpaper covered sheet-rock wall for tile?

Karen Coleman
by Karen Coleman
My mobile home has only the wallpapered sheet-rock for a back splash in the kitchen. I would like to spruce it up with some tile. I spotted some tiles at a local salvage store and the ideas came flooding into my head but I don't want to completely ruin the wall.
  2 answers
  • You need to remove the paper. The dampness of the tile compound will soften the paper from the drywall and cause it to come loose. Thus the tile will fall off. You do not have to get all fancy with the removal. As the tile will cover any damage from the removal that normally would need to be painted. The only other way to do this is to install a new 1/4 inch sheet of drywall over the old, trim the edges to give a finished look and tile over that.
  • Doris Doris on Nov 12, 2014
    You can use tube caulking to apply tiles directly to the vinyl wallpaper that came standard in older mobile homes, as their sheetrock came with the paper applied directly and can not be removed.
    • Karen Coleman Karen Coleman on Nov 12, 2014
      @Doris, Thank-you. Although our home is a 2006 model I don't believe the wallpaper is vinyl, I haven't tried to tear any of it off anywhere but there are a few places where there are tiny dents from when we moved in as we bought it brand new in 2006. I'm just looking to change things up just a little. Thanks again for your response.