Tiled countertops can offer home owners an affordable and durable option when it comes to their kitchen’s design and functionality. That said, tiles certainly don’t last forever. Cracks, scratches and loosening of the grouting are all common problems that arise from long term use. When the damage exceeds a certain point, removing the tiled countertops is your only option since it will need to be replaced in order to maintain a hygienic work surface while offering aesthetic appeal at the same time.
To remove tiled kitchen countertops, follow these easy steps:
- Turn off, disconnect and (if possible) remove any electrical fixtures from your counters.
- Turn off the water in your kitchen and keep a bucket handy to catch any water still in the pipes when you disconnect them.
- When removing the sink, use a putty knife to loosen the silicone gently bit by bit until it’s loose enough for you to take the sink out.
- Tackle your tiles row by row starting at the point closest to the wall and work forward towards the counter edge.
- Use a crowbar and position the end along the front edge of the tile. Tap the top end of the crowbar so that it slowly edges beneath the tile to loosen the mortar holding it in place. You might need to move your point of impact to the left and right before the tile is ready to be removed.
- Your tiles might come off in one piece and some might break. Cracked tiles are particularly prone to breaking up.
- Once all of your tiles have been removed, use a putty knife to scrape the surface clean.
- Remove all the dust and wipe down before applying new tiles or another surface.