How to Remove Wall Tiles Without Breaking Them

Removing wall tiles without breaking them requires a lot of patience and ingenuity. Be prepared to break some tiles. If you are salvaging the tiles because they are discontinued, contractors may be able to look up old catalogs to see if some are still available.

Things You'll Need

• Paint Scraper
• Hammer
• Chisel
• Blow Dryer

Instructions

Wall Tile Removal

1. With the chisel, try to break away the grout by tapping the hammer on the butt end of the chisel.

2. Once you have enough grout removed, slide the paint scraper under the tile and use the hammer to tap the butt end of the paint scraper. Make sure to not lift the tile with the paint scraper or you may break the tile in half.

3. When you get close to removing the tile make sure not to let it fall. You may also have to chip or scrape the glue off of the back of the tile. Using a blow dryer on a high heat setting may loosen the glue for easier removal.

Tips & Warnings

• Place a piece of masking tape over three tiles, the one in the middle being the one you are working on. When you break the tile loose it will be stuck to the wall with tape so you won't have to worry about the tile falling and breaking.