Is there an alternative tool to an air chisel for removing kitchen backsplashes?

[Phokus]

I want to remove the tile backsplash in my kitchen and i saw some videos of people using an air chisel and and air compressor to do it. Is there a cheaper powered tool to do this? Or is this the best method? Seems like if i have to buy both the compressor and air chisel, it will set me back more than $100. There's no such thing as an electric powered chisel?

 

[highland145]

What's it attached to? Sheetrock, concrete backer....Seems to me a chisel and hammer would do it.

Pain enough, rip the whole piece off of the studs and re do. About the same amount of work.

 

[Phokus]

What's it attached to? Sheetrock, concrete backer....Seems to me a chisel and hammer would do it.

Pain enough, rip the whole piece off of the studs and re do. About the same amount of work.

I guess it's sheetrock? Hammer and chisel seems like it would take forever compared to a power tool

 

[highland145]

Yes but you'll still have to repair it...depending on the material and how many sq ft you have, cabinets in the way....

Pop a few off and let us know.

 

[highland145]

If they're adhered well, do the make a "cover". My sis has a printer that will cover tile/metal/etc...do not remember the material...I'll have to ask.

 

[Phokus]

Yes but you'll still have to repair it...depending on the material and how many sq ft you have, cabinets in the way....

Pop a few off and let us know.

Sorry, are you saying if i used an air chisel, i'd have to repair the wall? I'm confused lol.

 

[iGas]

Cut out the drywall around the tiles.

 

[phucheneh]

Sorry, are you saying if i used an air chisel, i'd have to repair the wall? I'm confused lol.

You're going to have to do SOMETHING after you remove the tile...it's not something that comes off cleanly.

I've done it by hand. I don't think I used a chisel; just wailed on the wall with a claw hammer. :awe: It was actually not too bad. I just had to mud in all the little hammer divots at the top of most of the tiles. But once the claw end was in there, the tile came loose...I think it's the prying action mixed with the shock that breaks it loose. Dunno if an air hammer would be more or less destructive. Quicker, for sure

 

[highland145]

Sorry, are you saying if i used an air chisel, i'd have to repair the wall? I'm confused lol.

See above, need more info.

You could get lucky and pry them off, you could have to take the cabinets out.D: try and get a few off and see what you're dealing with. My experience is that easy doesn't exist but that's me.

 

[Phokus]

You're going to have to do SOMETHING after you remove the tile...it's not something that comes off cleanly.

I've done it by hand. I don't think I used a chisel; just wailed on the wall with a claw hammer. :awe: It was actually not too bad. I just had to mud in all the little hammer divots at the top of most of the tiles. But once the claw end was in there, the tile came loose...I think it's the prying action mixed with the shock that breaks it loose. Dunno if an air hammer would be more or less destructive. Quicker, for sure

Oh... i thought you just apply the tile adhesive over the wall and install the tiles after taking the old tile backsplash off?

 

[highland145]

Oh... i thought you just apply the tile adhesive over the wall and install the tiles after taking the old tile backsplash off?

If the surface is even...unlike pulling adhesive off usually.

Wishing you the best. Yeah, I'm a 3/4 glass half empty guy.

 

[Phokus]

If the surface is even...unlike pulling adhesive off usually.

Wishing you the best. Yeah, I'm a 3/4 glass half empty guy.

Ok, i got it... but in any case, if the backing is sheet rock or concrete, what other work would i possibly have to do in each situation before i can start putting in new tiles?

 

[Greenman]

Unless the tile is very poorly attached, you're going to destroy the drywall it's glued too. What you do then depends on what you plan on putting back, and how bad the wall is. Worst case, you have to cut out all the drywall and replace it. Best case, you have a few holes to patch.
If the surface you're sticking tile too is lumpy, the tile will be lumpy.

Edit: I see you're putting tile back. You need to make the wall smooth and straight. You're also going to need some way of cutting tile. After you pull the tile, post a pic and I can tell what you need to do.

 

[Phokus]

Also, is this a good tool to use for removing tile? Just put in a chisel bit in?

http://www.amazon.com/Skil-6445-02-7...ref=pd_cp_hi_0

Seems cheaper than buying an air chisel + compressor

 

[Phokus]

Unless the tile is very poorly attached, you're going to destroy the drywall it's glued too. What you do then depends on what you plan on putting back, and how bad the wall is. Worst case, you have to cut out all the drywall and replace it. Best case, you have a few holes to patch.
If the surface you're sticking tile too is lumpy, the tile will be lumpy.

So if i go the hammer and chisel route rather than power tools, could i avoid destroying the wall or is that still a possibility?

 

[ponyo]

Cut out the drywall around the tiles.

:thumbsup:

 

[highland145]

Unless the tile is very poorly attached, you're going to destroy the drywall it's glued too. What you do then depends on what you plan on putting back, and how bad the wall is. Worst case, you have to cut out all the drywall and replace it. Best case, you have a few holes to patch.
If the surface you're sticking tile too is lumpy, the tile will be lumpy.

Edit: I see you're putting tile back. You need to make the wall smooth and straight. You're also going to need some way of cutting tile. After you pull the tile, post a pic and I can tell what you need to do.

This because green knows his stuff.

Also, is this a good tool to use for removing tile? Just put in a chisel bit in?

http://www.amazon.com/Skil-6445-02-7...ref=pd_cp_hi_0

Seems cheaper than buying an air chisel + compressor

This if you want to spend $$ on tools and need an excuse.

Pop a couple off.

 

[Phokus]

Hmmm, i just saw this youtube video of this guy using a paper scraper to remove bathroom tiles, wonder if i could use this method to remove kitchen tiles... seems less destructive:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ML3wo4vYPI

 

[Greenman]

So if i go the hammer and chisel route rather than power tools, could i avoid destroying the wall or is that still a possibility?

You will almost certainly damage the wall.
Don't even try to use that drill, it won't work. Use a hammer and chisel or even a heavy duty putty knife.

Edit: WEAR SAFETY GLASSES!!! The tile chips are razor sharp.

 

[Phokus]

Edit: I see you're putting tile back. You need to make the wall smooth and straight. You're also going to need some way of cutting tile. After you pull the tile, post a pic and I can tell what you need to do.

Oh yeah, i bought this wet tile saw:

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Ryobi-3-...Stand-WS720S1/204330606?keyword=033287160990#

Thanks for the help

 

[Greenman]

Oh yeah, i bought this wet tile saw:

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Ryobi-3-...Stand-WS720S1/204330606?keyword=033287160990#

Thanks for the help

I've used one of those, not a bad little saw. If you happen to live in the Bay Area I've got a nice MK you can use.

 

[Phokus]

I've used one of those, not a bad little saw. If you happen to live in the Bay Area I've got a nice MK you can use.

lol, i'm on the other side of the country, thanks for the offer though.

Edit: i'll probably start doing this job in a couple months so i'll update later, thanks for the tips

 

[Greenman]

lol, i'm on the other side of the country, thanks for the offer though.

Edit: i'll probably start doing this job in a couple months so i'll update later, thanks for the tips

It's a little far to drive.

 

[olds]

It's a little far to drive.

You could always meet half way.

 

[DaTT]

Why not post a pic of the area in question. If it were me, I would remove the drywall that the tile is attached to. No patching required. When you put up new drywall, very little finish work would be required if you are not an experienced taper, which it sounds like you are not.

If it is plaster and lathe, I would also just remove the entire area in question and put up drywall. It's a little more difficult, but nothing you can't get through I'm sure.