Removing ceramic tile from kitchen

[Gerry Campbell]

I am putting in a new counter top and want to replace the ceramic tile on the kitchen wall. Any suggestions as to the easiest way to remove this tile.

Thanks.

Gerry

[ameijers]

Tile just goes between the backsplash and the upper cabinets? Drywall, not plaster? What are you putting up to replace it?

In general, Stanley wonderbars and/or BFH, with suitable eye protection, are the tools of choice. Depending on what tile was applied with, you may get away with skimcoating bare wall, but plan on demo'ing to the studs, unless you will be covering with something else. Best results are obtained by removing upper cabinets, but if you aren't fussy, or plan to panel over the area with something, you can fake that joint with artful mudding, and/or a few sticks of trim at the transition, since it is usually not in direct view. This area doesn't have to be strong, just look pretty. If you are putting back ceramic, the flatter the stripped wall is, the better the new tile will look. Typical 4-inch ceramic telegraphs bumps and waves like mad.

aem sends...