Tile backsplash in the powder room...
by
Seethebeauty
In the same bathroom, I am taking out the old vanity and installing a pedestal sink. The problem is (and I've scoured youtube) that nothing seems to work as I try to save the drywall behind that thin line of tiles above the vanity (who glues tile to drywall? some man! LOL...jk). Any great techniques on getting those bad boys off cleanly? Sure they are going to be hidden behind a cool accent wall, but I'm trying to save it for the next person who might take the wall down.
Suggested Project Book
If you can get to the screws that attach the cabinet, by all means unscrew the vanity. The top may have been caulked to the wall, so you will need to slide through the caulk with a razor or box knife. If the drywall is damaged, you can just cut out a large piece with the bad parts and replace with new drywall. Or you can just patch the holes. It is not hard to do and requires just a box knife or drywall saw, drywall compound, joint tape, and a piece of drywall. Big box stores sell patch kits which have the drywall and joint tape sized for hole repair, and also sections of drywall for larger repairs that don't call for a whole sheet.
Only real preventive action you can take is to use a knife to cut through any caulking before you try to remove the vanity. After you have it out you will likely find that some of the wall wasn't finished or layers of paint are different or finish work just was not done because the vanity hid the wall. Been there, done that, and I too make the walls as near perfect as I can even if they will not be seen. I think it's the sign that a craftsman did the job.
Once you have a clean wall, drywall finishing techniques, including skim coating are in order. Paint the wall when you are done so that if you are using an "accent wall" that is attached by adhesive you will be able to get it back off when "some day" comes without tearing half the drywall off.
Barb and Ken, if I have a weak spot in DIY projects, it's fixing big holes in drywall. (I learned my lesson in my other bathroom! I just can't do it). So I have to save that drywall.
I am okay with getting the vanity out, it's those terrible, useless, glued tiles above it! I am hoping for some input in safely getting those off so my drywall fix doesn't scare anyone away from thinking I actually know what I'm doing!