Removing Wall Tiles Fastened With Mastic Adhesive

If it doesn t tap the screwdriver with the hammer to give you extra leverage.

Removing wall tiles fastened with mastic adhesive.

To remove wall tiles start by heating up the grout between the tiles with a blow dryer so it s easier to remove. Once the tile is removed from the wall put it to one side for reuse or disposal of later. In an ideal world a few wiggles of the screwdriver or whatever tool you re using would give you enough leverage to remove the tile from the wall with your gloved hand. Use the whisk broom or small vacuum to remove any loose pieces of mastic grout or dust.

First identify what kind of adhesive it is so you can buy the correct solvent. How to remove dry mastic on tiles. Wait several minutes and use a large scrapper to remove the mastic. Next use a chisel and hammer to pry the tiles off of the wall.

Apply some water to a small section of the adhesive. Place damp rags on dried mastic. Apply a thin layer of mastic remover. Soak clean absorbent rags in warm water.

If you are applying it to mastic that is above wood flooring use rags instead. If a tougher adhesive was used water. Irrespective of the adhesive formula you have to cover the floor with old cloths as to protect it from the residues which will fall off the wall. Unfortunately water and heat often aren t enough to soften up vinyl tile or mastic adhesive.

Start at the far end of the room and work back to the door. Load the mastic remover into a sprayer if possible or apply it to the top of the mastic with a mop. You ll need to soften the adhesive or caulk. In these rare cases a solvent may be needed to break up the adhesive so you can scrape it off the surface.

Alternatively you could coat the adhesive with petroleum jelly or mineral spirits for at least 12 hours to a day. If the adhesive is not cement based you could try sprinkling water to the wall to ease the scrapping process. To do this heat the adhesive with an electric heat gun or blow dryer. Using solvents to remove tile adhesive.

Then use a utility knife or rotary grinder to scrape away the grout until the spacer lugs between the tiles are visible. If the adhesive used was organic mastic the water will begin to soften it allowing you to scrape it off. Use water as warm as you can stand to get the rags sopping wet.