removing tiles; how hard is it?

[OsbegaEthelwulf]

moved in a month ago and groan every time I see the bathroom tiles- they look like corned beef with awful insert tiles depicting butterflies, water lillies and country side scenes DH doesn't even 'see' them and is sick of me moaning on about them. Not much money left so will have to do it myself. How hard is in on a scale of 1-10...any tips? They are on every bloody wall from floor to ceiling

ta

[ScaredOfCows]

Modern tiles can be removed easily, but original tiles in an older house (1930s and older) can be really hard to get off. They need a lot more persuasion, but still very do-able.

If you wanted a cheap, quick, temporary fix, could you paint them - using tile paint?

Alternatively, you can tile over tiles but the results might not be great if your sink, bath etc are already in place and you can't get the new tiles behind them.

[mumblechum1]

Q easy to remove ime. You need a bolster chisel and hammer, just start at one end and work your way along. Wear goggles though, there'll be bits flying all over the place.

[aquafunf]

i have used tile paint in several houses where the tiles were 80s unbearable and it was too big a job to do immediately.

not a permanent solution and re-tiled properly later one, but it was a cheap way to mental health

[OsbegaEthelwulf]

thanks all; looks like it might have to be tile paint for a year until we have more money. For now until kids go back to school it will be known as 'Fray Bentos House'.
How did you find doing the tile paint aquafunf...did you use an undercoat as well or the combined one?

[WhollyGhost]

v. easy to remove the tiles, IME

however, the problem is then the replastering and the retiling which costs ££££

[frostyfingers]

Wholly is dead right - getting them off isn't difficult and just involves a bit of work, but making good to put more back on can be a big job. In our kitchen half the plasterboard came away with the old tiles which I think were superglued on so we had to re-do that, plaster and then tile. It didn't matter as the whole kitchen was being redone anyway, but unless you're ready for it it may be a pricey job.

[notcitrus]

Removing tiles, even 1930s or earlier ones stuck on with cement,is great fun - wear goggles and rubber gloves and long sleeves as shards fly everywhere. Just attack with a hammer and wide and narrow chisel. Put a sheet down if you don't want the floor/suite to get scratched.

It'll save you a few 100 quid over getting someone in. And a naked bathroom may be better for your mental health for a while!

[stealthsquiggle]

Removing tiles is very theraputic, especially when you really hate them.

Making good is expensive, though - what are you planning to replace them with? Just painted walls?

Maybe DH would notice the wrecked naked walls and it would incentivise him? (plastering small room should be a couple of hundred pounds, IMO and judging by what we have paid)