How to Remove a Tile Island
Kitchen islands make a handy place to prepare food. They provide a centralized point that is easily accessible from the rest of the kitchen. Some islands are even provided with utilities such as electricity, gas for stoves and water for a sink. A tiled island surface provides an attractive and durable countertop. However, there are times when a tile island may outgrow its usefulness and need to be removed. Removing a tile island isn't difficult, and one of the best parts is that since you are removing the whole island, you don't need to worry about removing the individual surface tiles. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Safety equipment (goggles, gloves, work clothes, dust mask)
- Plastic sheeting
- Screwdriver
- Adjustable wrench
- Wire nuts
- Pipe caps
- Sledgehammer
- Crowbar/prybar
Instructions
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1
Determine what utilities might be in place on the island. These need to be removed before you can remove the tile island. Your island might be supplied with electricity, water or gas, or even a combination of all three. You should be able to see any plumbing fixtures if you open up the cabinets or space beneath the island. Sockets should be visible on the exterior of the island, if so equipped.
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Consult the local codes in your area to see if it is legal for DIYers to perform plumbing, gas or electrical work in homes. Many locations, for example, will only allow gas work to be performed by a licensed professional. In other locations, you may need to secure a permit before you can begin work.
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Turn off the utilities for the island. In the case of water or gas, locate the nearest shut off valves and turn then to the "off" position. For electricity, turn off the switch at the main circuit breaker that controls the sockets on the island.
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Disconnect all the utility connections. For electrical work, this means removing any sockets with a screwdriver, then pulling out the wiring to the nearest junction box, or capping the ends of the supply wires with wire nuts. For plumbing and gas, remove the pipes back to the shut off supply valves with an adjustable wrench. Cap the ends of the pipes.
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5
Place protective sheeting over other countertops in the kitchen and remove any furniture that you don't want to get covered with dust or debris.
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Use a crowbar or prybar to pull away the molding from the base of the tile island.
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Put on safety equipment, including goggles and gloves. Use a sledgehammer or hammer to pound on the underside of the countertop. Continue hammering on the tile countertop until it begins to come off the cabinets or island stand beneath. Once the tile counter is off the island, use a crow or pry bar to continue to pry the countertop. If needed, have an assistant help you lift the tile countertop off of the island.
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Open the cabinets, if present, beneath the island and look for any screws that may be holding the cabinets together. Remove the screws with a screwdriver.
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Pull the cabinets or stand that was supporting the tile countertop apart with a crow or prybar.
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Tips & Warnings
The above steps are just a guideline. Consult a professional if you have any questions or run into difficulties when removing a tile island.
