Whether you’re looking to upgrade your bathroom, kitchen, or any other tiled surface, learning how to remove tile from a wall properly is invaluable. With the right tile removal tools and techniques, you can save both time and money on professional removal services. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about removing tiles from a wall safely and effectively.

Why Remove Tiles?

There are many reasons to consider tile removal. Perhaps you want to update your decor, repair damaged tiles, or switch to a different tile layout. Whatever the case, knowing how to remove a tile from the wall or floor can help you achieve a professional finish.

Tile Removal Tool Options and How to Use Them

There are a wide variety of tile removal techniques and tile removal tools you can work with, here are the best ways to remove tiles:

1. 

   Grout Removal Tool: Removing grout is the first step to safely removing tiles. A dedicated tile grout remover or a grout saw can make the process easier and prevent accidental tile breakage. Popular electrical grout removal tool options include the Rubiscraper-250​ and the Vitrex grout out​. The Genesis grout rake, with a tungsten carbide grit edge is also ideal for providing a smooth and even finish. 
2. 

   Hammer and Chisel: Placing a chisel at the edge of your tile, and gently tapping the hammer to loosen the tile using a tile removal chisel, like the Faithfull cold chisel paired with a tiling hammer, like the Bihui soft grip mallet, is a popular technique to pry tiles from walls or floors on a budget. A mallet hammer is often best suited for tile removal jobs because it can quickly force chisel under the tiles, but a claw hammer can also suffice. You can comfortably remove all tiles using a hammer and a chisel, though take note that this can be a time-consuming job.
3. 

   Tile Scraper: A tile scraper is effective for poking beneath the tile, you press on the handle, and the scraper lifts the tile up. You could opt for a handheld scraper like the Genesis Tile Removing Scraper, which is ideal for removing tiles from wall displays, showers & splashbacks. Alongside tile removal, tile scrapers are helpful for cleaning tile adhesive off the wall after the tile is removed, too.


4. Drill and Tile Drill Bit: You can use a drill bit to drill holes in a particular stubborn tile. By boring holes in them, it becomes effortless to remove the structure using different tools. You may also need a different type of drill bit depending on the material of the tile you are removing. For example, ceramic tiles can be difficult to drill so you may need a diamond tile drill bit. The PREMTOOL HEX Dry Cut Diamond Tile Hole Cutter can be used in corded or cordless drills for drilling porcelain, ceramic tiles, and most other materials.

Read more: 

• How To Drill Through Tile 

• The Best Drill Bits For Ceramic Tile

5. 

   Angle Grinder or Multi-Tool/Cutter: For larger areas, an angle grinder or a multi-tool with a diamond blade can efficiently cut through tiles, tile grout, and tile adhesives. A multi-tool can also be very effective for tight spaces. Great examples include:

• Flex MT Cordless Multitool - The gear unit has a large oscillation angle of 2° on both sides, thus supporting fast sawing, cutting, sanding, and scraping-off.

• Bosch Professional Multi-Cutter - This tool is intended for tile cutting, and sanding of surfaces as well as drywall cutouts. It can be used in wood, plastic, and metal. 

Read more: Best Blades For Cutting Tiles

Tile Removal Preparation Steps

Preparation is key to effective tile removal. Here are some preliminary steps:

1. 

   Safety: It is critical to follow safety precautions and use the proper tile removal tools. Shards of smashed tiles may be very sharp, so practice safety first to avoid unnecessary injuries. For that reason, PPE (personal protective equipment), such as work gloves, dust control equipment, ear defenders, safety goggles or glasses, or even knee pads and kneeling pads are definitely worthwhile having.

2. Protect Your Space: Cover nearby surfaces, especially if you’re working on walls close to cabinets or countertops. You may want some dust control equipment, like a rubble sack, dust sheet, or tarpaulin to do so.

3. Gather Tile Removal Tools: Make sure you have the necessary tile removal tools for your project before starting, whether that’s a grout removal tool, hammer and chisel, tile scraper, drill and tile drill bit, or angle grinder/multitool.

3 Steps On How To Remove Tiles from A Wall

Step 1: Start with the Tile Grout

Using a grout removal tool, begin by carefully removing the tile grout around each tile. This process reduces tension around the tile edges, making it easier to lift the tiles without causing excessive wall damage.

Read more: How To Grout Tiles

Step 2: Loosen the First Tile and Remove Remaining Tiles

To remove the first tile, using one of the above tile removal tools and techniques, patience is key here, as aggressive prying can damage the wall beneath. After the first tile is removed, continue to work on adjacent tiles. Keep the angle steady and avoid forcing the tile too aggressively, as this could lead to cracked tiles or wall damage.

Step 3: Remove Tile Adhesive

Once the tiles are removed, you’ll need to remove leftover tile adhesive to create a smooth surface. If you’re wondering how do you remove tile flooring? Put simply this baseline three-step process is the same for wall and floor tile removal. 

Read more: The Best Adhesives For Tiling Over Tiles

Tips for a Smooth Tile Removal Process

Our top tips on how to remove tiles are:

1. Test a Small Area First: Before tackling an entire wall or floor, start with a small, inconspicuous area. This helps gauge the level of effort required.

2. Use Proper Technique: Slow, steady work prevents damage to walls and underlying surfaces.

3. Clean As You Go: Removing tile dust and adhesive after each tile prevents buildup and makes it easier to evaluate your progress.

Read more: Tile Cleaner: What Is The Best Thing To Clean Tiles With?

Knowing how to remove tile from a wall or floor is achievable with the right tile removal tools and preparation. Whether you’re using a simple chisel and hammer or an advanced electric tile removal tool, each method has its ideal applications. By following this guide, you can approach tile removal confidently, ensuring smooth surfaces are ready for your next project.

Should you need any tile removal advice or support with your tile removal tool order, don’t hesitate to contact us via email at [email protected] or call 01604 859800.