Best way to remove tile from a shower surround
I would imagine some sort of demo hammer. I have the big bosch 1140 evs, or some number like that. It is only manageable in a vertical operation, although I am sure there some gorillas that could use it for horizontal applications. I guess I’d like to know which of the demo hammers I should use on this application. I am assuming that the chisel bit is the way to go as far as a bit is concerned.
Replies
WHat is the tile set on?
I
WHat is the tile set on?
I used a Boschammer demo hammer when demoing the last bathroom; went thru two chisels.
Depending on the setting bed, it might be more efficient to cut the backer (with tile still attched) and remove them in large chunks.
Any way you do it, wear gloves, goggles, and ear plugs. And put a fan in the window.
Quality home........
A smaller chipping hammer would be better, since its lighter. But yours is fine. Just think of it as forearm exercise.
Like Nick said, a lot depends on what the tile is on. If its cement board, you don't need the Bosch. A hammer and wrecking bar will suffice.
I remember a shower stall I did years ago. It took us 2 days to demo it. The concrete under the tile was 3-4" thick, and HARD. A sledge hammer just bounced off it. Even with a demo hammer, it was a lot of work.
Sometimes it works out better to saw it up and pull it off in slabs. As other said, depends on what's underneath.
okay, you say "surround" not floor, so it's just on cb or dw, just use a flat bar and hammer if your trying to salvage the backing, otherwise break though the wall and pull it off in 1 layer (many pieces) ..
Just remember the possibility of damaging/cracking plaster on the other side of the walls that may be wall surfaces in adjacent rooms.
I've always had good progress with a small sledge and a variety of prybars. With patience, you can manage to get large sections of metal lath and tile off.
Thanks for the responses. I won't know what sort of substrate it is on until I get into it. Looks like a mortar bed, not hardibacker to me cause of the pronounced bullnose tile on the edge.
The difficultly of removing said tile can usually be determined by the age and quality of the home. Are other parts, or adjecent
rooms being demoed also? If not, and you show up at my house with a jackhammer, I'm sending you home. Think finesse first and foremost.