How to Remove Old Tile Adhesive From Walls

After choosing your new tiles, taking up the old ones and getting ready to update your room, you're facing a major problem: the old tile adhesive. Its job is to adhere to the walls or floors, and sometimes it just does it too well.   Mastic and tile adhesives can be tricky and time-consuming to remove. More importantly, if you accidentally damage your walls or floor while you are removing it, it can be costly to repair.  

What Is the Best Way to Remove Old Tile Adhesive from Walls?

  Before you start, wear the right protective gear - gloves, masks, sturdy shoes, and dust sheets for your house - to make sure that you don't get stuck with old mastic on walls or floors.

Things you will need to complete the task:

• Protective gear, such as gloves, masks, sturdy shoes, and dust sheets
• Chisel and hammer
• Scraper with a strong blade
• Warm water and a cloth
• Wallpaper steamer (optional)
• Chemical products for removing tile adhesive (optional)
• New tile adhesive
• Trowel or putty knife for applying new tile adhesive
• Replacement tiles (if needed)
• Professional tiler (if preferred)

  

1. Use a chisel to remove the old adhesive from the tiles

Hammer and chisel old mastic away - but take care not to damage the wall in the process.  

2. Scrape the residue off with a scraper

You can also try scraping with a tool that has a strong blade to deal with old mastic and give yourself a little more control.  

3. Warm water can help

Soak a cloth in warm water and apply it over the old tile adhesive, leave it to soak for a while, and it should become easier to scrape off. If the old adhesive is organic mastic or another type of tile adhesive that can be softened by warm water, you might find it easier to scrape off.  

4. Scrape off the wallpaper with a wallpaper steamer

Old tile adhesive can be removed with some products available on the market. Always read and follow directions when using chemicals.  

5. Choose a product that is tailored to your needs

Then apply a thin layer of adhesive to the wall and to the back of the tile you're replacing. If you're replacing more than one tile, take care not to apply too much adhesive at once.  

6. Remove old tile adhesive by hiring a tiler

The process of removing old tile adhesive can be quite difficult, despite how much you might enjoy DIY. Getting a pro to help is not just cheaper, but can save you a great deal of time and energy.