Decided to remove the tile counter top from my kitchen and replace it with
something else. Some of the tiles were pitted, some were cracked and so on.
It just looked old and worn. So I got out the hammer and went at it. Turns
out this is going to be a nightmare. The tile is set in cement, and it's on
expanded metal that's nailed to some one inch pine boards. From the top of
the boards to the top of the tile it's 1 1/2 inches thick. It's taking way
too long to get it off. I'm using a hammer, chisel and a crow bar. Any ideas
on a better way?

Al

I don't understand why you aren't taking everything
out, boards, tile and all. What you've got there is
a good old fashioned mud job, which isn't going
to come out easy. You'll also ruin the integrity of
the boards anyway trying to pry and bang off the
tilejob. I'd be trying to pry that entire countertop
off in one big unit (with help from a strong friend).

thetiler

"thetiler" wrote in message
oups.com...
I don't understand why you aren't taking everything
out, boards, tile and all. What you've got there is
a good old fashioned mud job, which isn't going
to come out easy. You'll also ruin the integrity of
the boards anyway trying to pry and bang off the
tilejob. I'd be trying to pry that entire countertop
off in one big unit (with help from a strong friend).

thetiler


The counter is a large "U." And the top is countersunk about 3/4". I have to
get it to a point where I can get it out. The tile goes up the wall too, but
that comes off.

Thanks,

Al

Big Al wrote:
"thetiler" wrote in message

I don't understand why you aren't taking everything
out, boards, tile and all. What you've got there is
a good old fashioned mud job, which isn't going
to come out easy. You'll also ruin the integrity of
the boards anyway trying to pry and bang off the
tilejob. I'd be trying to pry that entire countertop
off in one big unit (with help from a strong friend).

thetiler


The counter is a large "U." And the top is countersunk about 3/4". I have to
get it to a point where I can get it out. The tile goes up the wall too, but
that comes off.

Countersunk in relation to what? The boards have to sit on top of the
cabinet boxes (carcases for you purists out there), and the setting bed
and tile is on top of those boards.

As was already pointed out, removing the whole shebang in as big of
pieces as you can manage is the easiest and cleanest way to do it.
Have you looked underneath the countertop to see how those boards are
attached?

R

"RicodJour" wrote in message
oups.com...
Big Al wrote:
"thetiler" wrote in message

I don't understand why you aren't taking everything
out, boards, tile and all. What you've got there is
a good old fashioned mud job, which isn't going
to come out easy. You'll also ruin the integrity of
the boards anyway trying to pry and bang off the
tilejob. I'd be trying to pry that entire countertop
off in one big unit (with help from a strong friend).

thetiler


The counter is a large "U." And the top is countersunk about 3/4". I
have to
get it to a point where I can get it out. The tile goes up the wall too,
but
that comes off.

Countersunk in relation to what? The boards have to sit on top of the
cabinet boxes (carcases for you purists out there), and the setting bed
and tile is on top of those boards.

As was already pointed out, removing the whole shebang in as big of
pieces as you can manage is the easiest and cleanest way to do it.
Have you looked underneath the countertop to see how those boards are
attached?

R

I looked but there is nothing visible underneath. The boards must be nailed
from the top. I'll bust some more out and see. The pine boards are beneath
the edge of the cabinets, (countersunk??) and there was a trim board nailed
around the edge. The tile edges were over the trim. I'm at a place where the
metal screen joins together. I'm going to follow that seam to the wall and
see what I find. Gathered up three "superbar's" and I'm going to try to get
under the edge at the seam. There is some kind of brown and black paper
under the screen. Maybe it will just come up.

Al

if you're trying to save the mud bed, go to home depot and rent the correct
tool for this. looks like a small jack hammer, runs off electricity. it'll
take you less than an hour to get off all the tile. wear eye and ear
protection.

"Big Al" wrote in message
...
Decided to remove the tile counter top from my kitchen and replace it with
something else. Some of the tiles were pitted, some were cracked and so
on.
It just looked old and worn. So I got out the hammer and went at it. Turns
out this is going to be a nightmare. The tile is set in cement, and it's
on
expanded metal that's nailed to some one inch pine boards. From the top of
the boards to the top of the tile it's 1 1/2 inches thick. It's taking way
too long to get it off. I'm using a hammer, chisel and a crow bar. Any
ideas
on a better way?

Al

Look into a reciprocating saw with a looong blade suitable for cutting
metal. Slide that between the cabinet and the countertop and commence
cutting nails/screws and lift out the whole thing. It'll likely gouge
the top edge of the cabinet, but that shouldn't matter too much, since
you're covering it back up again.

I looked but there is nothing visible underneath. The boards must be nailed
from the top.

They're screwed in, not nailed.

What I'd do is cut the counter top with a sawsall in manageable pieces,
being very careful not to ruin the cabinets. Then you'd have to cut
the screws that are between the ply and the cabinet.

"Larry Bud" wrote in message
oups.com...

I looked but there is nothing visible underneath. The boards must be
nailed
from the top.

They're screwed in, not nailed.

What I'd do is cut the counter top with a sawsall in manageable pieces,
being very careful not to ruin the cabinets. Then you'd have to cut
the screws that are between the ply and the cabinet.

"Larry Bud" wrote in message
oups.com...

I looked but there is nothing visible underneath. The boards must be
nailed
from the top.

They're screwed in, not nailed.

What I'd do is cut the counter top with a sawsall in manageable pieces,
being very careful not to ruin the cabinets. Then you'd have to cut
the screws that are between the ply and the cabinet.


As expected I got serious today and got the counter top out in four pieces.
Also removed all the floor tile and the tile that was on the wall. Man is
that stuff heavy

Used three Wonder Bar's as wedges to lift the cement off the 1X12" boards.
Then applied two crow bars to get it out. BTW: The cement was not under the
level of the cabinets. There was another trim board that fooled me.

Thanks to all that replied and gave me the support to try.

Al