backsplashkitchen-counterskitchenstile
It's time to replace a tile backsplash, which is course textured, thick, and appears cut to fit around cabinets.
Is there a reasonable way to chip it off and preserve the underlying wallboard, or must I demo back to the studs and replace the wallboard as well as the tile?
If a wallboard demo is needed, does this mean removing and re-hanging cabinets?
Thanks!
A Scotch Brite pad has always worked for me. If you are dealing with a large area, use a random orbital sander with a Scotch Brite attachment and the universal lubricant, water.
Look on the right side of your picture. You can tell the granite and fake stucco finish is layered on the drywall.
First you will not get drywall or backboard to adhere permanently to granite so it has to go or you have to use it.
Personally I would keep the granite. Then I would scrape off all of the stucco. It might sound like a pain in the ass but its not a HUGE project - 3 or 4 hours. Then you might have to do some minor repairs to it. If anything I would just take this stuff off in chunks and skimcoat the area afterwards.
You don't need backerboard unless you want to put up a heavier stone. Drywall is fine. Just scratch it up good before hand. Throw down some tile that fits in with the granite. I would use thinset instead of mastic so that I can level out any wall issues as I go.
If you keep the stucco and put something over it you are going to have some really odd edges and it just won't look right.
Best Answer
If the tile is not behind the cabinets, which it should not be it is simple to remove. Use a dremel and a good quality diamond grout bit. Start on a edge or the bottom corner and remove most of the grout. Use a hammer and chisel to get under the tile and lightly pry and pound with caution. The maybe a few spots that might be more stuck than others. If tiles break rather than fall apart at grout lines its probably the spot where quikset was used to stick it. Use the same technique with more force it should still come off. If not hit the tile hard and flat to break the tile and it will come off. If cabinets were hung over the tile you could use a diamond blade and cut around the cabinets and re tile around them.