Flooring Tile - One-tile removal
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11-02-00, 10:48 AM
I have a very boring all-white ceramic tile backsplash in my kitchen. I would like to spruce it up a bit by removing/replacing one or two tiles with one with a nice design or picture. What's the best way to remove just one tile without hurting the surrounding ones?
John Bridge
11-02-00, 02:12 PM
Hi Missy,
I'll answer your question; then I'll give you an easy and inexpensive alternative.
The difficulty in removing a single tile from a "field" depends to a great degree on the type of tile it is. The hardest tiles to remove are standard American wall tiles usually referred to as four-and-a-quarter (4 1/4 in. square). These are the tiles you've seen in bathrooms and kitchens for years. They have spacer lugs molded into their bodies to facilitate installation, and that's what makes them so tough to get out -- all the tiles are in direct contact with one another under the grout. If I tell you how to get one of these out, you'll be able to tackle just about any type of tile.
You need to get as much grout out from around the tile as possible. I use a utility knife, wearing out successive blades until I've done the job. You can't use a grout saw, because it will scratch the edges of adjacent tiles.
When you've gotten as much of the grout out as you possibly can, make a hole in the middle of the tile with a hammer and very small cold chisel. Then start pecking away at the remainder of the tile, slowly working from the center toward the edges. It's when you get to the edges that you must be extremely careful, or you may end up broadening your design scheme by breaking an adjacent tile. This is the only way to do it.
Tiles with wider joints are easier. You can use a grout saw (a small hand tool) to get through the grout. There is much less chance of damaging adjacent pieces if you can get the grout all the way down to the substrate.
Now the alternative. Leave your tiles alone and use spotter tiles or plant-ons. These are ceramic pieces made to be glued on to the existing tiles. With a little creativity you should be able to spice up your backsplash without subjecting it to potential harm.
The spotters are available universally. But you'll have to look around. My buddie Uri in Australia makes them (as well as other specialty ceramics). Have a look at his site to see what I'm talking about. Say hi to Uri while you're there.
http://www.ausglaze.com.au/SpecItems.htm
I've probably given you more info than you need, but if you need more be sure to come back.
John Bridge
http://www.johnbridge.com
I'll answer your question; then I'll give you an easy and inexpensive alternative.
The difficulty in removing a single tile from a "field" depends to a great degree on the type of tile it is. The hardest tiles to remove are standard American wall tiles usually referred to as four-and-a-quarter (4 1/4 in. square). These are the tiles you've seen in bathrooms and kitchens for years. They have spacer lugs molded into their bodies to facilitate installation, and that's what makes them so tough to get out -- all the tiles are in direct contact with one another under the grout. If I tell you how to get one of these out, you'll be able to tackle just about any type of tile.
You need to get as much grout out from around the tile as possible. I use a utility knife, wearing out successive blades until I've done the job. You can't use a grout saw, because it will scratch the edges of adjacent tiles.
When you've gotten as much of the grout out as you possibly can, make a hole in the middle of the tile with a hammer and very small cold chisel. Then start pecking away at the remainder of the tile, slowly working from the center toward the edges. It's when you get to the edges that you must be extremely careful, or you may end up broadening your design scheme by breaking an adjacent tile. This is the only way to do it.
Tiles with wider joints are easier. You can use a grout saw (a small hand tool) to get through the grout. There is much less chance of damaging adjacent pieces if you can get the grout all the way down to the substrate.
Now the alternative. Leave your tiles alone and use spotter tiles or plant-ons. These are ceramic pieces made to be glued on to the existing tiles. With a little creativity you should be able to spice up your backsplash without subjecting it to potential harm.
The spotters are available universally. But you'll have to look around. My buddie Uri in Australia makes them (as well as other specialty ceramics). Have a look at his site to see what I'm talking about. Say hi to Uri while you're there.
http://www.ausglaze.com.au/SpecItems.htm
I've probably given you more info than you need, but if you need more be sure to come back.
John Bridge
http://www.johnbridge.com