How to Remove Kitchen Tiles in 6 Easy Steps

Here at Raynesway Tile Warehouse, we know just how stressful it can be choosing new kitchen tiles, which is why we’re so passionate about providing an excellent service. As a family-run business, we pride ourselves on the warm atmosphere we’ve created in our showroom, and we know this is one of the reasons we’ve got such an incredible reputation that we do our best to maintain.

Our team of tile and bathroom specialists are on hand to offer expert advice and provide professional support every step of the way. We’ll be sure to discuss your needs, talk you through the benefits of each of our tiles, and help you find the ideal solution based on your requirements and personal preferences.

A common question that we get asked is how to go about removing tiles without damaging the wall. For those more DIY inclined, below we’ve put together a simple step-by-step guide.

How to safely remove kitchen tiles: A quick step-by-step guide

Occasionally there will be signs of water damage, for example, and your tiles will need replacing and, in order to do so, your original tiles will need to be removed. The process of removing kitchen tiles is relatively straightforward, but it can be dangerous, so if you’re thinking of removing your tiles yourself, ensure you have the right protective equipment to protect yourself – namely, eye protection or safety glasses, a long-sleeved shirt, knee pads, and gloves for sharp pieces.

Step One: Remove a single tile

To remove a single tile, begin by sticking a piece of masking tape over the centre of the tile to stop the drill bit from slipping on the tile surface.

Step Two: Create a hole in the tile

Using your drill and the correct drill bit, create a small hole in the tile, taking care not to drill into the entire wall. Then you can remove the masking tape from the tile.

Step Three: Grout removal

Remove the grout from around the tile using a grout removal tool. Note that the grout around wall tiles is often thinner than the grout around the tile floor, so work gently to ensure you don’t cut through to the wall or any adjacent tiles.

You may decide to do this step first instead by scraping the grout away with a utility knife. You don’t need to scrape away every last bit of grout, but you do need to get rid of enough that the spacers are visible to make the tile removal as easy as possible.

Step Four: Remove the broken tile

The next step is to use a hammer and chisel to chip away the broken tile fragments. Start at the centre of the tile and work out towards the edge until you have removed the complete tile.

Step Five: Remove old adhesive

Now you’ll want to make sure all of the old adhesive is removed using a floor scraper or a hammer and chisel, depending on how difficult the adhesive is to remove. You might not be able to remove all of the glue and grout, but make sure the surface is even enough that installing a new tile is feasible.

Step Six: Create a clean and dry surface

The final step is to brush away any remaining dust with a clean cloth, preferably a microfibre cloth, until the surface is completely clear, ready for new tiles to be applied. If you can see any spacers, now is the time to remove them using a chisel or similar. Get your new kitchen tiles by visiting our bathroom showroom in Derby

Now you know how to remove your tiles, it’s time to decide what ceramic tiles you want. Be sure to visit our Derby showroom if you’re looking for high-quality tiles at affordable prices. Pop into our showroom where you can speak to one of our experienced tile experts today or get in touch using our contact form.