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veggirl123

Is it possible to remove a single tile from backsplash?

9 years ago

Does anyone have any experience trying to just remove one tile from a backsplash? These are 16x2 glass tiles and there is no grout yet.

Last night when we were installing more rows of tile to our backsplash, my perfectionist SO noticed that one of the tiles we installed last week was crooked. We have been using 1/16 spacers and being very careful, but it looks like one of the spacers must have fallen out and the tile dropped and is touching the one below it on the right side.

He really wants to try to fix this but doesn't want to hurt the other tiles. Unfortunately it is a "land-locked" tile and in the middle of other tiles, so it seems like it would be very difficult to get out, especially since we are only using 1/16" spacers.

So, just wondering if anyone has ever done this and if so, if you have any tips on how to approach removing one tile.

He agrees that if we can't do it without messing up the other tiles, he will let it go. (But it will bug him forever!) I don't like it when I look at it, but neither of us noticed it all week and it must have happened last weekend, so I'm more willing to let it go.

Comments (11)

  • 9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Can you share a photo? And, don't tell us where it is.

    Lisa thanked eld6161
  • PRO
    9 years ago

    To avoid breaking the adjacent tiles you need to, using a grinder with the appropriate blade, cut several slots along the face of the tile. Using a screw driver or chisel in the slots carefully chip out the tile by gently tapping the chisel/screwdriver with a hammer, work from the center outwards towards the edges. You must be very careful not to hit any of the other tiles with the chisel/screw driver or pieces of the glass tile you are removing to avoid chipping any of the adjacent tiles.

    Graham

    Lisa thanked The Kitchen Abode Ltd.
  • 9 years ago

    I've seen my tile guy do this a few times and he makes it look easy! He has been in business a long time and gets paid for that knowledge and experience.

    You should give it a try. As mentioned above, it might be easier to remove more than one tile and make the repair.

    Lisa thanked chispa
  • 9 years ago

    I've done it with 2" square tiles. That was very easy; I just popped them out. I think it was the day after the tile had been put up.

    Lisa thanked liz_h
  • 9 years ago

    Start directly in the center of that tile with a small hammer and tap tap tap till it starts to break up work out from the center not touching any of the other tiles, use a chisel or putty knife to dig away the pieces of the broken out tile. You will have to remove the thinset under the tile too. Carefully and slow . You are going to be destroying the tile you want removed so go right from the center of it and work outward . Do not pry on the edges you risk chipping the other tiles. That's why go to the center .

    Lisa thanked ravencajun Zone 8b TX
  • 9 years ago

    Would it make any sense to run some masking or painter's tape over adjacent tiles to protect them from falling/flying debris.

  • 9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Thanks everyone! We have some tiles that we put on a drywall piece when we were deciding on the tile, so we might try practicing it there first. We were thinking starting in the center might be the way to go.

    @eam44, I love what you said about the carpets. I can get behind that philosophy, but not sure my SO can. And yes, the fact that it is glass is what makes me more nervous about attempting this.

    @eld6161, there is a picture here: http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/4333723/corner-cabinet-design-dilemma#18912514 Not the best quality picture, but I can see the flaw, because I know where it is. The fact that the edges of the tile have reflections make it hard to notice when you are looking at the entire picture.

    I wonder if it will be more visible after the grout, because we won't be able to fit grout in where the tile dropped. We haven't picked our grout color yet, so if we can find something that is a similar color it might not be as obvious as it would with a more contrasting grout.

  • 9 years ago

    I can't see the issue in that image. Overall it is looking fantastic. If you pick a grout similar in color to the tile you will notice the errant tile much less.

    Lisa thanked eam44
  • 9 years ago

    Persian rug makers add a deliberate flaw to every rug because only God is supposed to be perfect.

    I've heard the same thing about Amish quilt makers. Personally, I've only ever made one quilt, and I'd have been thrilled if it had only contained a single flaw.

    Lisa thanked mrspete
  • PRO
    9 years ago

    Rotozip with a diamond blade. Cut an "x" in the tile and pry it out.

    Lisa thanked Joseph Corlett, LLC