Removing kitchen backsplash…?
July 9, 2009
I want to get rid of old ceramic tile backsplash in my kitchen and instead of putting up new tile just paint the wall behind it. Once I remove the tile how should I get rid of the adhesive? I was thinking about sanding if but sheetrock is so thin I didn’t want to sand through it and have to replace it. Has anyone else done this before? What worked?
Posted in Kitchen Tile Backsplash
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July 9th, 2009 at 7:35 pm
removing the tiles will wreak the sheetrock. however you try to remove the adhesive will ruin the paper face on it. then if you try and put compound on it, you’ll get a lumpy wall. it won’t be the nice flat wall that you are envisioning. you can take the tiles off and put up formica after you put new adhesive up. or just remove the sheetrock too, and start fresh with new. leave an edge of the old for the joint tape, so you don’t have cracks at the edges of the counter top and bottom of the upper cabinets. this won’t look great either, without a lot of compounding and sanding. even then, you will have the possibility of paint failures and cracks. really the best way to get the look that you are after would be to take the cabinets out and redo the entire wall. you have to realize how much work and trouble cutting out all of the outlets and switches will be,and how weak and flimsy the piece of sheetrock will be to work with. if you aren’t happy with the tile, i think you’ll be unhappier with an imperfect sheetrock wall, since it will need a washable paint finish that will show any imperfection. you won’t want a flat paint finish in this location. good luck, hope this helps.
July 9th, 2009 at 7:35 pm
If the tile is adhered directly to the sheetrock, it is definitely going to damage it when you remove it. You’re going to have to sand it down, and also retexture the surface. Otherwise, it’s going to look awful. If it were me, I’d just retile it. It’s easy to do.
July 9th, 2009 at 7:35 pm
Plan on replacing the sheetrock after removing the tile. You will spend a LOT more time sanding and repairing the wall board than you would simply replacing it. And consider using a product called green board as it’s made for bath and kitchen applications that may get wet.
July 9th, 2009 at 7:35 pm
If the tile takes the sheetrock off when it is removed, you’ll need to apply some kind of ‘mud’ to make the surface paintable after you sand it smooth. I would suggest either re-tile or use stainless steel and adhere it to the wall. This can be expensive, but there are ways to cut costs with thickness.
We re-tiled with small green glass tiles that were already on a piece of backer paper so it went on really smoothly and easily. You can do it!
July 9th, 2009 at 7:35 pm
i hate to tell u,but theres no easy way..after removing the tile,there will be some damage to the sheetrock,that a given..you"ll need to patch it..so i would figure on sanding it anyway..gl
July 9th, 2009 at 7:35 pm
I am not sure what style you are going for, but…I have seen on home improvement shows..they use drywall Spackle and leave the texture on the wall and paint over it and use an other color in a dry paint to darken & shade in the shadows. (like the walls in an old tuscan villa..or at Olive Garden!) Take a drive to Olive Garden & take a "Look..See..". I would LOVE to have that in my kitchen! Good Luck!!!