Old tiles in bathroom need removing – methods?
netrate
| Posted in Construction Techniques on
I am fixing up my 60’s bathroom. The entire bathroom is covered in old tiles and I want to remove them and replace them with new tiles. How do I go about doing this? Do I just break the tiles and pull them off?
Replies
Well, I used to think it was plaster, considering it is from the 60's, but instead it might be concrete board? I think that is what it is called?
Concrete board as we know it really wasn't invented until about 1980, but in the 50s-60s there were a lot of "experimental" wallboard products. No telling.
But if it's plaster, or mud on lath, it's kinda 50/50 whether you can pull the tile off and leave the base sound.
It also depends a lot on what they stuck the tile up there with. I would expect to see drywall on the "dry" parts and mud over wire lath in the shower/tub area. The tile could be up there with thinset or mastic. Either one can usually be popped off fairly easily once you get a foot hold under it. The mastic usually leaves a worse mess. I agree if this is just drywall, taking the whole thing down may be as easy as getting the tile off and leaving a useable surface.
I did see an interesting tool a while ago. It is a flat blade for a reciprocating saw for things like this.
It's not an easy job and can be messy. Make sure you protect the tub if you are keeping it. We usually duct tape down a couple of layers of cardboard and are thorough about doing a good job, then some drop cloths. A thin flat pry bar can be tapped under the tiles with a hammer, a couple of firm taps in the right spots often pops of individual ceramic tiles without a lot of breaking. I use one of these and it's handy for many other things.
http://www.amazon.com/Hyde-Manufacturing-45600-9-1-Scraper/dp/B00002N6G8
Multimaster w/ scraper blade?
I've never done this, and it might not be possible without physically breaking the tiles (depends on tile size), but the OP might also consider using a Multimaster with scraper blade to get under the tiles without breaking whatever's behind them.
Certainly one can use the MM abrasive blade for cutting through grout -- good for making repairs in a tile wall.
The scraper blade will sorta work if the tile is applied with mastic, but unless you have mosaic tile the blade isn't big enough to get all the way under a piece of tile, so you sort of hit a dead end.
I was hoping not to have to replace the backerboard on it, but I guess I won't know until I do it. I was thinking about those inserts that you can put over top of the tub and shower, I would if that would cover it all?
Removing old tiles in bathroom
I believe removing old tiles a bathroom is not an easy tasks. It requires time, patience and right tools. Firstly cut away the grout surronding the tile or tiles that you you want to remove. Be carfeul when removing the grout. When you have removed the grout, the you should be able to slide plaster knife or putty underneath the title. If grout is still blocking the way, keep cutting and check how much have you removed. Now, slide a putty knife or plaster spatula behind the tile, getting as much of the blade behind the tile as you can. Work the putty knife or plaster spatula in and out behind the tile in a cutting like motion around each side of the tile to loosen it from the wall. Pry the tile away from the wall gently, using the knife. The title should gently pop away from the wall.
That works if the tile is attached with mastic, but not so well if it's on thinset. And even with your technique, you generally have to break the first tile to get room for your "spatula", if you don't have an open edge to work from.
It will not have a backer board as you may imagine. Cement based boards did not exist at that time. Certainly remove toilet, sink (block the drain and supply valves from debris) and protect the tub and faucets. Then you need eye protection, dust mask, thick gloves, concrete chisel and 5 lb hammer. Commit to removing everything to the studs. Removing just the tiles is almost impossible, unless the adhesive has failed completely from a mud wall. Sheetrock wall is not worth the time. Reusing broken up wall/floor does not give you level surface for best tile work. Trying to level the tiles later would cost you more time, and most likely end up with uneven tiles.
I also applied new tiles over the old, but only for a kitchen backsplash. I used sander to take the gloss off the old tile and used ready mix wall tile glue. This has more chance of new tiles popping off over time. I have read that using thinset is better for something like this. I have covered old bath floor with new tiles using thinset with good results.
Research more about the tub covers. Some like it and some hate it. If I had to, I would have it refinished by a professional tub paint applier than covered.
BTW, you may be able to see what kind of underlayment wall has through the drain/supply pipe holes.
remove tiles from 60's bathroom
there is no way to save the old tiles and you will never find tiles to replace the broken tiles
So- off with the old. Don't be whimsy. If you want to keep the tub protect it as other replies mentioned. I also place a piece of plywood over the tub. When tiles fall you will want to make sure they do not damage the tub.
Install regular drywall and cover with Kerdi (Schluter) waterproof materials, then install new tiles with thinset
Done that numerous times with success