Designing Kitchens and Bathrooms - Remove ceramic bathroom wall tiles

I have a bathroom with ceramic tiles on cement & wire lathing. I want to remove the tiles and replace the wall covering completely. The tiles seem extremely difficult to remove. is there a recommended process that will minimize the mess and effort to remove the tiles and lath? I don't want to save the tiles. what is my best approach?

Hi jimboat63,

You will find how-to "Removing Ceramic Bathroom Tiles" information at this DIY section (http://www.doityourself.com/stry/remove-tiles)

pmgca - thanks for the reply. I saw the info in the DIY section. Unfortunately my project is the removal of ALL tiles on ALL walls - (over 1000 5" tiles)...it's not "Removing a single tile loose tile" or "Removing a broken tile", so those methods are not really applicable.

Is there some suggestions for the more major project of removing ALL the tiles for a complete bathroom refurbishment?

You are going to need a sledge hammer.....no magical solution that will dissolve the tiles.

is there a recommended process that will minimize the mess and effort to remove the tiles and lath?

The answer was based on your question....

Of course, if the mess is not important, try with a sledge hammer. Or you can try with an air hammer with chisels

My favorite method for tile removal is just a good old pry bar and hammer. Bring a trash can in and situate it under your work area when you can, helps out with the mess.

Its been a few weeks since your question so you're probably well into your tile removal (hopefully done!) I'm going to be starting the same project. How was your experience? Any tips?
Thanks!

i haven't started the project yet....the "hammer and pry-bar" method is so brutal with these types of old tiles, that i am looking for an alternative.

Thanks for your response but you're scaring me with words like "brutal"! I know these tiles were meant to be permanent, but really, who wants pink and black forever? I'm not in a big hurry to start this project since the tile is in good condition but it's the only remodel project left in this house and it has to be done. Please let me know if you discover a solution.
Thanks again

i'm the same way. our yellow tiles are 1950's design. but i've done one other bathroom of same era, and removal was literally 100's of hours....i won't be doing that again. another approach is strapping on top of existing tile wall and adding new drywall - but this only works if you have the room to accomodate the new wall - and i don't have the space!

i am hoping that eventually someone reads our thread that has a method for making the tile removal a realistic activity.

i am hoping that eventually someone reads our thread that has a method for making the tile removal a realistic activity.

What's unrealistic about demolition? It's not like you can snap your fingers and have the tiles fall off. It's not easy work, as you have found out. I think if people are not up to the task, then they should hire some cheap labor for a few hours to knock down tile.

You are dealing with cement, ceramic, plaster, lath, etc. If the stuff was really easy to remove, I wouldn't want that product in my home.

HotinOKC - haha, i can see that you've not done this job before. the tile is on 3/4" of solid cement. this isn't just a simple "knock down the tile" job. haha. a 10lb sledge hammer won't dent this stuff. thanks for the advice, though. perhaps you'd be willing to do it for us for a couple of hours?

Actually, I have done it a few times. Like I said, its not easy. If you can't handle a 10lb sledge, get a bigger one. Rent a electric or pneumatic chisel.

Ill do it for you for 90 an hour plus travel and lodging. ;)

Tile shards can be really sharp, like glass shards. Keep that in mind if you risk having your juggler vein exposed.

Let me get this straight.. "literally hundreds of hours" (5 weeks of 8-hour days) and the risk of bleeding to death to remove ugly salmon pink bathroom tiles. Hell yes, I'll do it.