To remove an existing tile, use a nail set to mark the surface then drill holes through the tile using carbide tipped masonry bit. Finally, chisel away the title with a cold chisel and remove any loose mortar.
Further Information
- Replacing Cracked Floor Tile (video)
- How to Repair Broken Ceramic Tile (video)
- How to Remove Tile Without Breaking (article)
- Sealing Grout in Tile Floors (video)
VIDEO TRANSCRIPT
Danny Lipford: You might not realize how easy it is to install a ceramic soap dish to an existing tub shower wall.
Joe Truini: The first thing you need to do is remove and entire tile so you have room to put in the soap dish, and you can start by punching a series of holes with a nail set along the tile and then drilling through those holes.
So begin by marking the tile with the nail set. These marks don’t have to be neat. They’re there just to give the bit a place to start drilling. Then use a carbide tip masonry bit to drill through the tile but not into the wall.
Next, complete the “X” shape pattern using a cold chisel and hammer. Connect the dots and crack the tile into pieces, and pry the pieces of the tile off the wall. Well once you remove the tile pieces and before you can install the soap dish, you have to smooth the surface with the coal chisel and scrape away any loose chips.
Danny Lipford: Now it depends on how old the tile is and how it was installed on the wall will determine how difficult it is to remove the particular tile you’re working on. Now, older tile like this is pretty tough. Newer installations will generally be installed on cement backer board, that’s a lot easier.
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