Clean The Tile
Rolling Primer And Applying Scratch Coat
Grout Line Cover-Up
The Finish
When removing tile or stone from a shower wall resist the urge to smash through it with a sledge hammer or other blunt instrument. While this can be satisfying there can be pipes behind and it creates a lot of extra work when the wall has to be rebuilt. First make sure you protect the area below. If you have a tub make sure the sharp shards of tile do not damage the surface. A thick drop cloth will do the job. Next, cut or scrape into a grout line to access the back side of the tile. It may be easiest to start at an outside corner and work your way in. If you start to have success then slowly work your way into the middle. If your bathroom was installed correctly there should be a rigid surface behind the tile like hardiboard or cement board. This will give you a good substrate to be able to pry against. If the grout is holding the tile in place you can use a heat gun or hair dryer to soften the grout. If you do damage parts of the wall it can always be filled with a compound but it does add to material and labor cost and time to do this
The best tools for removing wall tile are:
Heat gun for softening grout
Small pry bar
Flat head screw driver
Chisel and hammer
Oscillating saw
Angle grinder with tile blade or Dremel tool with tile cutter
Sledgehammer (if you aren’t concerned about damaging the wall)
Pneumatic hammer with chisel bit
The best power tool to use is a Pneumatic air impact hammer with a chisel bit. If you have to remove a lot of tile be sure to get a compressor with a large air volume capacity. This way you won’t have to constantly be waiting for the compressor to fill up when you drain the air out of it.
The first thing to consider when you have a tile pop out is what actually caused this to happen. If it was just time and/or poor workmanship then a standard remedy will work. If the tile is popping due to water issues then be sure to check you don’t have a leak behind your wall or under your floor. You can do this by checking your water meter when everything is shut off. If moisture is not the issue then there is a simple fix. Drill into the grout around the hollow tile so that you can get a large enough hole to inject an adhesive in. There are numerous manufacturers including Fix-A-Floor that sell an adhesive that you can inject into the hole so that you can adhere the tile without removing it.
Sometimes when you remove tile you actually want to prevent damaging it as you take it off. The first step is to remove the grout between the tiles. This can be done with a tile rake, or, if you have a steady hand, with an angle grinder. Carefully choose the first tile to pry free as this one will probably be the most challenging. Look for the corner that appears to be most available for prying. Using a chisel or flat head screw driver gently pry the tile free as you work your way around the tile. Try not to force the chisel in by being too eager with the hammer. Most importantly, be ready for the tile to fall. Either have a place for it to go or use tape so that once it becomes loose it is hanging on the wall by the tape that is stuck to adjacent areas.
Filling Voids in Shower tile
What is Tile Resurfacing?
Hiding Grout Lines
If you’re tired of that old tile wall and don’t want to go through the hassle of removing, replacing, or painting, resurfacing is the best way to cover wall tiles. Tile resurfacing involves applying a resurfacing compound called a micro cement over the tile. The resurfacing material is easily applied and usually comes in various surface texture finishes and colors to meet your design needs. The Semco Remodel without Removal resurfacing system is an excellent choice if you want to resurface your wall tile. It even works on floor tile too. The Semco system creates a molecular bond with the tile surface, creating a strong, durable, and beautiful new decorative wall or floor.
With Semco resurfacing products, you can restore and resurface your old tile without having to remove it. No demolition is necessary. The Semco tile restoration solution is simply applied over the tile and you have a new surface in half the time. Semco can accomodate both interior and exterior tile flooring on patios, pools and more. The hassle and headache of retiling your bathroom, living area, patio or even office or commercial building is gone with the Semco system.
Semco Florida is Florida’s source for Semco’s industry-leading surface solutions and resurfacing products for Concrete and Tile Resurfacing. With a broad range of applications and surface treatment systems, Semco Florida surfacing solutions are used by thousands of residential and commercial customers worldwide. The durability, ease of installation, and the ability to apply to both interior and exterior surfaces make Semco the go to option for concrete resurfacing and other resurfacing projects big and small, including world-class resorts, municipal applications, public school play yards, historical monuments, offices, and residential homes. Semco Florida proudly serves Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, and Florida. Contact us today to find a Semco contractor near you.
Create A Stunning Seamless Surface With X-Bond Seamless Stone Surface Solution
Semco is uniquely capable of being applied over existing intact surfaces without the requirement for demolition. Great for concrete and tile resurfacing.
The SEMCO Clean | Color | Seal surface care systems are designed to provide powerful surface cleaning, coloring, and sealing for any solid surface. Very easy to use for concrete and tile resurfacing.
Semco Florida’s solid surface solutions product line includes four distinct surface treatment systems applicable to a variety of environments and needs. Semco’s Remodel Without Removal is a resurfacing product that allows you to remodel existing surfaces without having to remove the old surface material. The remodel without Removal system can resurface tile and grout, stone, wood, concrete, vinyl, epoxy and more.
Semco’s X-Bond seamless stone is a zero VOC (zero Volatile Organic Compounds) hybrid of solid stone solid surface solution that gives a sleek, clean seamless stone aesthetic. The environmental friendly green flooring solution can be applied directly over old surfaces without removal.
The ADA safety floor surface solution is great for areas and applications subject to ADA requirements.
Semco’s Clean Color Seal system is great if you need a surface that is both decorative and durable. Clean Color Seal is a great option for decorative concrete projects and interior flooring needs.
All of our solid surface solutions come in a variety of finishes and colors to meet your needs.
The SEMCO Polished Bond Finish uses the SEMCO Color Bond to create rich and vivid finishes for all our surface treatment systems.
The Polished Bond Finish is exhibits multiple color variations within each finish that give it a textured look but a smooth surface. Great for both commercial and residential applications.
The SEMCO Natural Grain Finish creates a vibrant and moving surface, not seen in any other surfacing solutions. Suitable for floors only. Great for commercial and residential applications.
The SEMCO Florida Color Bond Finish produces a smooth and seamless solid surface. The Color Bond Finish is a solid color with very slight variations. Suitable for floors and walls. Great for commercial and residential applications.
The Semco resurfacing products are a great option for a wide variety of spaces and projects. Semco surface solutions can be used in residential and commercial bathrooms, driveways and garages, exterior walkways, pool decks, roof decks, exterior facades, interior walls and stairs. Click on each to learn more.
The Semco solution can be used for waterproofing, ADA safety flooring, eco-friendly remodeling projects, decorative concrete, concrete resurfacing, tile and hardwood overlays, and concrete crack repair.
Ready to take it a step further? Let’s start talking about your project or idea and find out how we can help you.
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