Installing a backsplash
by
Victoria
+4
I am in need of experienced advice. I have one row of 4x4" tiles in my kitchen that are supposed to act as a back splash. Several of the tiles are cracked and it's just plain ugly anyway. I am afraid to remove the tiles as they may rip holes in the sheet rock and create more damage, water seepage. Can I apply mosaic tile right over these tiles, will they stay? What do you think? I appreciate your input.
5 answers
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I would remove them and patch the wall if they don't come off smoothly. Most of the time they just pop off. Then seal and finish to your liking. I'm big on sealing in the kitchen or around water areas. Good luck.
Kathy Bitzan
on Apr 08, 2016
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I agree with Kathy. Tear the old tiles off and patch any damaged drywall with mud. Then, continue on with your mosaic tile. Sometimes you get lucky and they pop off with no problem... sometimes! Remember to caulk the joint between the bottom of the tile and the top of the counter top with a good quality silicone. Joint spaces in the tile isn't bad but that transition usually takes a lot of water. Good luck
Bob Ridings
on Apr 09, 2016
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It is possible to tile over existing tiles with the correct adhesive. However I agree with those who say to take them off. If you are having difficulty removing them without fear of pulling away too much of the support behind then try to break the tiles into smaller pieces, either with a sharp tap with a hammer of carefully drilling through the tile with the correct type drill bit and then levering in the hole with something like a screwdriver. Take care and all should be well.
Ale5461424
on Apr 09, 2016
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It’s possible to remove ceramic tiles on drywall, but it does take patience. Sometimes, additional minor repairs to the drywall may be necessary, once the tiles are out of the way. The method used to attach the tiles to the wall affects the way the tiles come off. Tiles installed with thinset or another tile adhesive often require more work to remove them. A wide-blade putty knife is helpful in prying the tiles loose. Once those tiles loosen, pry them off with a putty knife. The only way to remove tiles set in mortar may be to break them and then scrape off the mortar bed. Some ceramic wall tiles lift off the drywall and leave little indication they were ever there. However, most usually leave some remnants of the bonding agent behind. The two most common wall tile adhesives are thinset and mastic. Thinset is a cement-based product, and mastic resembles thick glue. Gently grind off thinset with an oscillating tool equipped with a carbide rasp. Scrape off mastic with a putty knife. If the drywall sustained any damage during the tile removal process, repair it with a skim coat of drywall joint compound before applying new tiles. Keep the windows open to allow adequate ventilation as you remove ceramic tiles on drywall. The small bits of grout loosed by the grout removal process may become airborne. It's also a good idea to wear a protective face mask to avoid breathing the dust. Ceramic tiles have sharp edges; protective gloves should be worn. Because the tiles may break unexpectedly into tiny shards, wear goggles or other protective eyewear.
William
on Apr 10, 2016
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Recently had my kitchen counters and backsplash redone. When the back splash was taken out, he just cracked them and removed, then placed the new tiles on.
Jane Fiedler
on Apr 10, 2016
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