So, you’ve decided that your bathroom deserves a makeover. You’re tired of the current style and feel like it’s finally time for a change. The only problem is actually starting the renovation process and having to remove those pesky old tiles.
No need to worry or get the professionals in – removing tiles is an easy job and we’ve provided our step-by-step guide to show you how!
Remember, safety first!
Once you start chipping away at the tiles, you’ll likely start to find that sharp fragments of porcelain or ceramic are being fired toward you. It’s therefore important to wear protective equipment to prevent any injuries.
You will need suitable safety goggles and a pair of protective gloves. You may also need help from a friend if the tiles are particularly heavy or large, so make sure they’re also wearing protective equipment.
Protect the features
As you’re aware that small shards are going to be flying in all directions, it makes sense to protect the features and fixtures in your bathroom. Regardless of whether your shower and sink are made from plastic or ceramic, they’ll easily get scratched or damaged.
That’s why you need to cover them up. Cardboard is pretty useful for catching falling tiles and an old cloth is great for draping over the room for additional protection. It’s also recommended that you place a dust sheet on the floor.
The right tool for the job
Tile can be a troublesome material to manage if you aren’t equipped with the right tools – this is especially true if you plan to preserve the tile for use somewhere else.
A regular hammer or drill won’t suffice, which is why you are best off with a rotary Milwaukee SDS hammer drill that is specially designed for chiselling and has a ‘hammer only’ mode. The hammering action of the drill is great for getting under the tiles quickly and with ease.
Time to remove the tiles
The first tile will likely be the hardest to remove due to there being no access from either side. Hold the drill so the tip is sat on the grout line between the tiles at a 45-degree angle and switch the drill to ‘hammer only’. Hold the hammer steady as it starts to chip away at the grout and then under the tile.
Begin to move the drill slowly forward, breaking up the tile. Try to start in the centre of the wall or floor and move your way to the outer edges, chipping away all of the tiles.
All that’s left to do is try to get as much adhesive off the wall and floor as you can and place all the broken waste and debris into a cardboard box, ready to be taken to a nearby waste recycling centre or disposed of in your regular refuse bin. A quick hoover will remove any remaining rubble you might have missed.