A tile backsplash can do wonders for any Folsom, CA, home. However, removing outdated tile backsplash without damaging the drywall is often easier said than done, especially if it’s your first time. Fortunately, Go Pro Handyman created a brief guide to teach you how to remove tile backsplash while preserving your home’s drywall.
Go Pro Handyman is Folsom’s professional kitchen remodeling company. We offer exceptional kitchen remodeling and home improvement services that will take your home’s appearance to new heights at a price that won’t stress your finances. If you want to upgrade your home with a first-class kitchen remodel, contact the experts at Go Pro Handyman.
What Is a Backsplash?
Backsplashes are subtle visual enhancements that fill in space between countertops and cabinets. Most consist of tile or similar material that adds texture to a room to increase its allure. They are most common in kitchens and bathrooms, but other rooms can benefit from backsplashes as well.
Backsplashes are incredibly customizable and allow you to express your creativity while making your home match your unique style and taste. That said, removing an old backsplash without damaging your walls is incredibly difficult and time-consuming. It requires tremendous patience and dedication to complete correctly, but it can help your home’s kitchen or bathroom reach its true potential.
However, once you understand how to remove tile backsplash, you can enhance your home with beautiful designs that will make your kitchen or bathroom the highlight of your home.
How to Remove Tile Backsplash Without Damaging Drywall
Before you learn how to remove kitchen tile backsplash, you must gather the tools and supplies. Fortunately, most of the equipment and materials are readily available at local home improvement stores. To remove the backsplash, you’ll need:
- Hammer
- Putty knife
- Utility knife
- 120 grit sandpaper
- Drywall joint compound
Once you gather your tools and supplies, you can move on to the first step.
Step One: Clean the Area
Start by cleaning the countertops and removing any appliances or accessories that could hinder the process. You need a clean and clear space to work and ensure a phenomenal final product. Having easy access to the backsplash will also make the process faster and more efficient.
Step Two: Remove Outlet Covers
Next, power off your breakers and remove any outlet covers within the backsplash. Always ensure your breakers are off beforehand to prevent electrocution and injuries.
Step Three: Protect the Countertops
Once you remove the outlet covers, place a thick drop cloth or mat over the countertops to protect them from falling debris. Titles are more robust than many people think and can cause significant damage to unprotected surfaces.
It’s also a good idea to lay another drop cloth over the floor to catch dust and debris. It will preserve the floor’s structure and appearance while making it easy to discard after removing your backsplash.
Step Four: Remove the Tile
After you protect your countertops, use the hammer and putty knife to remove the existing tile. Place the putty knife against the grout (angle it if possible) and gently hit it with the hammer to loosen the tile. You must hit the putty knife carefully to ensure you don’t damage the drywall or the backsplash’s surroundings.
Using too much force will create holes and require you to repair them before moving forward. You must gently tap the putty knife to prevent damage that could jeopardize the process.
Using a rubber mallet and chisel instead of a metal hammer and putty knife can sometimes make removing the tile safer. Always try to angle the tools to prevent hammering directly into the drywall.
Step Five: Remove the Adhesive
Contractors often use an adhesive to keep backsplash tiles in place. Use the utility knife to remove the adhesive without damaging the drywall. Carefully scrape away the excess to make the area smooth and adhesive-free.
Step Six: Sand the Area
Sometimes stubborn adhesive doesn’t come off with a traditional putty or utility knife. In these cases, use the 120-grit sandpaper to remove leftover adhesive and smooth the area. Gently glide the sandpaper over the surface until it’s completely clear.
Step Seven: Fill in Drywall Cuts
Sometimes minor drywall damage is inevitable, no matter how careful you are. As long as you don’t cause extensive damage, you can repair insignificant blemishes with a drywall joint compound.
Use the drywall joint compound to mask minor blemishes along the wall’s surface. Allow the compound to dry, and use sandpaper to smooth the surface. You want to make the space as smooth as possible to make installing your new backsplash swift and easy.
Once you smooth the drywall joint compound, you can start shopping for your new bathroom or kitchen tile backsplash.
How to Ensure High-Quality Tile Backsplash Removal
Again, removing backsplash without professional tools or experience is incredibly difficult. That’s why most people hire a professional home improvement company to handle the process and ensure an exceptional final product.
Go Pro Handyman can remove tile backsplash from your bathroom or kitchen while preserving your drywall’s structure. We understand the best approach to each project and utilize best-in-class tools and techniques every step of the way. We take the stress out of tile backsplash removal by handling the entire process for you, allowing you to focus on other home improvement projects.
Contact Go Pro Handyman for Outstanding Tile Backsplash Removal and Installation Services in Folsom, CA
If you need to remove tile backsplash from your Folsom, CA, property and want to ensure optimal results, contact Go Pro Handyman. Our team will remove your tile backsplash while keeping your drywall smooth and damage-free. Whether you need help removing tile backsplash or want to learn how to obtain a kitchen remodel permit, Go Pro Handyman is here to help.
Don’t trust inexperienced contractors next time you need to remove a tile backsplash. Give Go Pro Handyman a call at (916) 668-5318 or complete our online form and receive an estimate today!