How To Remove Kitchen Counter Tile

Download Article

Download Article

Replacing an old kitchen or bathroom countertop is an like shooting fish in a barrel manner to upgrade the room. You tin hire someone to exercise the chore, but it isn't necessary to exercise so in most cases. Instead, cutting renovation expenses by carefully removing onetime fixtures yourself. We'll show you how to remove a kitchen countertop by removing the adhesive and screws that hold the countertop in place.

1. 1

   Shut off the supply lines to the countertop fixtures. To safely remove your old countertop, you'll first accept to disconnect the water lines to the sink and gas lines to the stovetop. Turn the emergency close-off valves for each fixture clockwise to the off position. Disconnect the supply lines from the valves using an adaptable wrench.^[1]

   • Take a bucket ready for draining h2o.

2. two

   Disconnect the drain line under the sink. Use your adjustable wrench to loosen the large nuts that agree the J or U-shaped trap to the sink's master drain line. Hold the trap in place with channel locks. If you have a PVC connection, you lot should be able to loosen the connection by paw.^[2]

   • If you have a garbage disposal, disconnect information technology from the sink also.

   Ad

3. iii

   Remove your drib-in fixture sink. If you have a drop-in fixture sink, use a chisel or putty knife to pry the sink abroad from the countertop. Chop away at the layer of dried adhesive under the rim of the sink to complimentary it. If the sink is fastened to a tile countertop, chisel abroad the quarter tiles along the sink's perimeter. Remove any remaining mortar or adhesive with a caulk remover or chisel.^[3]

   • Get help to lift out the fixture, especially if it's large or heavy.

4. iv

   Pull out the undermount-style sink. If the sink is an undermount blazon, unfasten the screws property it to the countertop. While someone supports the sink, remove the brackets underneath the sink. Use a apartment chisel to remove the caulk that acts as a seal between the countertop and sink. The sink should come out easily once it is freed from the counter. Have some other person help you lot pull out the sink, especially if it'southward an unwieldy double-bowl configuration^[iv]

   • Exist careful not to damage a sink or cooktop that you plan to re-install in your new countertop.

Advertisement

1. 1

   Loosen the agglutinative on countertops with a softener. Near counters are attached with an adhesive. Spray the agglutinative with a caulk softener. Allow the softener sit for one hour. And then, pry the agglutinative away from the backsplash with a putty knife. Simple work the putty knife under the countertop, and piece of work all the way around until the counter is loose enough to lift up.^[v]

   • Caulk softener can be constitute at most dwelling house improvement stores.

2. 2

   Unfasten the screws from your countertop. Some countertops are held in identify with screws that go all the way through to the base cabinets. If this is the case, open up the cabinets and look within. Locate all of the screws. Employ a screwdriver to remove the screws. And so, elevator off the countertop.^[half-dozen]

3. 3

   Use a pry bar to remove the countertops. Most countertops are bracketed to the base cabinets. If the counter is attached to the base chiffonier with nails or an agglutinative, apply a pry bar to remove information technology. Put the claw of the pry bar under the rim of the counter, and press downwardly on the free end until the countertop begins to lift upwardly. Piece of work slowly effectually the counter and use only the minimum amount of force needed to remove the adhesive in society to avoid dissentious the base cabinets.

   • Laminate backsplashes tin be removed at this time also. Use your chisel and a hammer to remove the laminate coating from the backsplash. Underneath, at that place should be a lath screwed into the wall. Employ a drill or screwdriver to remove the board.^{[seven] [8]}
   • Take your fourth dimension and endeavor to be careful when you're removing the existing countertop so you lot don't damage the cabinets, backsplash, appliances, or the flooring.^[nine]
   • Be peculiarly conscientious when you're working around plumbing or gas lines. You lot don't want to bump the pipage and create a leak. Similarly, use extra caution effectually electrical outlets or switches.^[x]

4. 4

   Remove each tile from a tile countertop. Remove the tile from the surface of the countertop with a flat chisel. This frees the countertop and also reduces its weight, making it much easier to elevator out. First, advisedly pry the tile running upwards the backsplash away from the wall. Remove the rounded, bullnose tile along the front of the countertop. Repeat the process on the tile glued to the countertop, slicing between the mortar and wood underlayment. When the tile is removed, go nether the counter and use a screwdriver to take off the brackets belongings the countertop to the base cabinets. Elevator the countertop off.^[11]

   • Some tile countertops have an underlying layer of wood. After removing the top layer, check to see if in that location is whatsoever wood. If then, use a pry bar to remove the remaining wood.

5. v

   Call in a professional for a granite countertop. Most natural-rock countertops are heavy, and therefore difficult to remove. They are either attached to particle-board underlayment or epoxied directly onto the base of operations cabinets. The base chiffonier tin can hands be damaged during the procedure. It's normally best to take a contractor do this blazon of removal.^[12]

6. 6

   Check for cracks in the shelves before completing the removal. During the removal process, check for cracks or damage in the shelves. Unless they are being removed also, you lot will not want to damage them. It is best to call in a professional person to complete the removal if you do meet harm.^[13]

   • Check for whatsoever damage to the plywood that supports the countertop, every bit well. If it's damaged, you'll need to replace it, but if information technology isn't damaged, you lot can put the new countertop right on top of it.^[14]

7. 7

   Get rid of the countertops. You will likely not desire to get out the old countertops laying effectually. If they are not damaged, yous can put try to requite abroad the countertops for free. Or, have the remains of the countertop to the dump.^[15]

   • Y'all can put an ad on Craigslist for someone to pick up the countertops, but exist very careful about giving strangers your information.
   • It'due south too an option to reuse the fabric as countertops in your garage or laundry room.

Advertisement

Add New Question

• Question

  What should I watch out for when I'one thousand removing the countertop?

  

  Nick Yahoodain is a General Contractor and the CEO of Advanced Builders & Contractors in Los Angeles, California. With over 16 years of experience, Nick specializes in large residential projects such equally new construction, developments, major renovations, additions, and hillside construction. Advanced Builders & Contractors is a member of the BBB, is licensed by the Contractors State License Board, and is fully bonded and insured. Advanced Builders & Contractors has been featured on NBC News, Elle Decor, Architectural Digest, and Voyage LA.

  

  General Contractor

  Expert Respond

  

  Support wikiHow past unlocking this skilful answer.

  If you're trying to remove just the countertop, have your time and work very advisedly and so you don't impairment the cabinets, appliances, backsplash, or flooring. Y'all also need to be especially careful around pipes, gas lines, and electrical outlets or switches.

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your e-mail address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Ad

Video

• Use a reciprocating saw on wood-backed countertops that are difficult to remove. Cut horizontally between the countertop and the base chiffonier. The saw volition slice through whatever screws or nails that are holding the fixtures together.

Ad

• Work slowly and carefully when removing your quondam countertop and avoid damaging the backsplash or adjacent cabinets.

• Wear work gloves and protective eyewear when doing whatsoever renovation projection. This is especially important when you're removing tiles, which tin can scrap and break, or using a power saw.

Advertizement

Things You'll Need

• Adjustable wrench
• Channel locks
• Chisel
• Hammer
• Screwdriver
• Pry bar
• Putty knife
• Reciprocating saw
• Work gloves
• Protective eyewear

Virtually This Article

Commodity Summary X

After you lot've asunder your fixtures and lines around your countertop, start removing it past spraying the agglutinative holding it in place with a cork softener. Then, leave it to sit for 1 hour before using a putty knife to pry the adhesive away. If your countertop is attached with screws, open upward the cabinets and pull the screws out. To lift the countertop, place a pry bar under the rim of the counter and pull down slowly on the other end until the counter lifts. If your counter is tiled, remove the tiles with a chisel to lighten the counter before trying to lift information technology with the pry bar. For tips on how to properly dispose of your countertop, proceed reading the article!

Did this summary help you?

Thanks to all authors for creating a folio that has been read 270,598 times.

Did this commodity help you lot?

Source: https://www.wikihow.com/Remove-a-Countertop

Share this post