Sometimes the simple things can make a big impact and with kitchens, changing the backsplash can really breathe new life into your space. If this is something you’ve been contemplating but don’t want to create a mess of a project, we’ll share the best tips here for getting the job done right, without having to make unnecessary repairs and destroy your drywall.
How To Remove Your Old Tile Backsplash And Install A New One
Removing your existing kitchen tile backsplash is all about technique, precision, and patience. Without these three, you’ll spend hours repairing your drywall and create a much bigger project.
Before you begin, here are the materials you’ll need:
- Hammer
- Putty knife
- Utility knife
- Electric sander or hand sander
- 120 grit Sandpaper
- Drywall sanding pad
- Drywall joint compound
Once you have tools and materials, you’re ready to start.
- Start by clearing the counter of all appliances, accessories and food items so that you’ll have easy access to the backsplash and you can have ample working space.
- Remove the outlet covers and turn off the breakers to the outlets where you’ll be removing the tiles.
- Cover your countertops with a protectant such as Ramboard, to ensure you don’t damage the countertop with falling pieces. It’s also best to use plastic to catch any dust and smaller debris and easily move them to the trash.
- Using a hammer and putty knife, carefully chisel off the old tiles without harming the drywall underneath.
- Remove the thinset adhesive, using the putty knife to scrape it from the wall
- You can also use 80 or 120-grit sandpaper to remove it from the wall, in areas where the thinset is a bit thinner.
- Fill any drywall cuts with drywall joint compound. Allow it to fully dry and then sand it smooth.
If you’re installing a new backsplash over the same area, we recommend using a trowel with wider teeth that will lay down a thicker layer of thin-set over the old surface, which will hide the imperfections from the old adhesive and create a smooth base for the new tile. This only works for larger tile pieces as smaller tiles will allow the thinset to come through the joints and make a mess.
Tiling Over Painted Walls?
If you’re installing new tile over a painted wall, you’ll want to roughly sand the wall to remove the sheen of the paint, then use a primer to prepare the surface for thinset.
Need Professional Help?
If you’d rather not risk damaging your kitchen and spending hours on a backsplash home improvement project, you can book a professional tile setter on Pulled and allow a pro who has the expertise and tools to get the job done right.