Replace bathroom tile with a flat drywall surface.
Tile is a nice accent in a bathroom, but if you're updating the look of your bathroom, you can remove the tile and install drywall. Drywall is composed of compressed gypsum particles and covered with paper to form a smooth surface, suitable for applying wallpaper or painting. However, you'll need to use special water-resistant drywall panels, since bathrooms are subject to high levels of humidity.
Instructions
Tile Removal
1. Pry loose existing tiles with a putty knife. Slide one tip of the putty knife under a tile and pop it loose. If a tile sticks, tap on the end of the putty knife gently with a hammer while wedging the putty knife blade beneath the edge of the tile.
2. Repeat until all the tiles are off, and remove the old drywall or tile board from the studs.
3. Remove all nails and screws that remain in the studs, and scrape off chunks of dried joint compound or drywall glue. The stud surface must be smooth.
Drywall Installation
4. Measure the space where you removed the tile, and cut a new section of drywall to fit.
5. Start in the top corner, if you're replacing an entire tile wall, and push a new sheet of drywall tightly against the side wall and the ceiling. For smaller areas, position the drywall in the space where you removed the tile.
6. Attach the new drywall to the studs with drywall screws. Countersink the screws about 1/8-inch below the surface of the drywall. They should be slightly recessed but not deeply enough to break the paper surface of the drywall paper.
7. Insert additional screws every 8 inches through the drywall and into the studs.
8. Add additional drywall panels, if necessary, by pushing the panels tightly together and attaching with drywall screws.
Taping
9. Spread premixed joint compound over every seam with a 6-inch taping knife, pressing the compound into the space between the panels.
10. Cut drywall tape strips to fit over the wet seams, and smooth the joints by pulling the wide end of the knife over the seams. The damp compound holds the tape in place.
11. Smooth the compound further by switching to a 10-inch taping knife. The wider edge distributes the joint compound over a greater wall distance, reducing bumps and bulges in the compound.
12. Sand the joint compound when dry and add another thin coat of joint compound. When joint compound dries, it shrinks slightly, so applying two or more thin coats is better than one thick coat.
13. Sand one final time after the last taping to remove rough spots with a drywall sander and wipe drywall dust from your wall. You're ready to paint or wallpaper your new bathroom wall.
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