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Geez another dumb rookie. So about taking tile off the wall, will backer be ruined

1K views 7 replies 2 participants last post by  oh'mike 
#1 ·
So I have six tiles on the wall. hardie board with red gaurd on it.
I dont like the tiles (others do) but realy I started in the wrong place now the cutting is on top and bottom. Not the worst thing but more work and less attractive.
I also am concerned (might be a benefit now) that I mixed the thinset too dry. It seemed dry but I havent done it before and the package says 1.5 gallons for the whole 50 pound bag, I had used bout 3/4 gallon on just a little bit so did not want more water. i guess.

So I am looking at removing the tiles. But am not willing to go all the way and remove the backer too. Geeze with red on the screw heads also that must be a *****. how likely is the backer to be too damaged so I cannot tile over it?

Also the placement will help another issue. I need holes in some porcelain tiles. the guys at the store say I can use this jigsaw bit. It is diamond crusted. But especialy with a jigsaw bouncing wont the tile likely crack?

Will a masonry drill bit work for a starter hole?

Geez this session of remodeling has been brutal for me. Some not my fault but too much is. It reminds me when I went back to school and retook college algebra,cause it had been too long ago. I was doing horible and talked to the teacher. he said the algebra is right, you keep making arithmatic mistakes. Add ,subtract ,multiply, and divide was easy, something I could do but just kept getting in my head and screwing up.
 
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#2 ·
Try removing the tile---If it's not acceptable--what choice do you have?

As to cutting a hole? You need a diamond hole cutter --they are available in the tile section in most stores,--Blade must be in a bath of water--use a set with a plastic guide cup.

Layout is key to a good and easy job--spend the time to do it---
 
#4 ·
Your call---Replacing some board is not the end of the world--If it's going to bug you when ever you take a shower---make the change now----

Tile work is like a tattoo --it's going to be there for a LONG time---so you better like it.
 
#6 ·
Take a flat knife--like a painters tool--and pry/pop off a tile and see--usually the board is covered with thinset---so removing the board is usually simpler that chiseling off the thinset with that painters tool.
But if the area is small--chisle and scrape off the thinset--if the job is going to slow--cut out or remove whatever board is damaged and replace it.

Remember the old Navajo saying," Only god is perfect. If you achieve perfection you will offend god."
 
#7 ·
Take a flat knife--like a painters tool--and pry/pop off a tile and see--usually the board is covered with thinset---so removing the board is usually simpler that chiseling off the thinset with that painters tool.
But if the area is small--chisle and scrape off the thinset--if the job is going to slow--cut out or remove whatever board is damaged and replace it.

Remember the old Navajo saying," Only god is perfect. If you achieve perfection you will offend god."
I did just like that Mike. The tiles popped off real easy, then chiseled some mortar off and the rest with and old saw with the blade I use for cutting the hardie board. Made some cuts with the depth adjusted so would not cut into the board, and then draged it side ways carfuly. Makes tons of dust. Now I get to start over and am happy.
 
#8 ·
I understand---I made four samples of a mantle for a customer before I hit on a design that looked good to us--

Some times you need to rip out the work if you don't like it---better that hating it ---Mike---
 
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