Are you wondering how to smooth bathroom walls after removing tile? Well,this process iscertainly possible and can be done easily. Once in a while, there is usually a need to boost or improve the look and feel of the bathroom environment. The first process involves smoothening the walls after the tiles have been removed. Today, we explore the process involved in this project, as well as the pros and cons that come with the installation of such solid surfaces. We shall, later on, review a few tips to get the job done. For now, let’s start with knowing what tools to be used.
How to smooth bathroom walls after removing tile
Tools needed:
- Mastic remover.
- Putty knife.
- Joint compound.
- Sanding block.
- Drywall tape.
- Joint knife.
- Clean cloth or rug.
- Primer.
- Painter’s tape.
- Paint roller.
- Measuring tape.
- Drop cloth.
Follow this guide on how to smooth bathroom walls after removing tile to have a smoother bathroom wall.
Step 1
Apply mastic remover to the wall using a roller at the manufacturer’s suggested thickness. To ensure you have enough material before you begin, measure the wall’s longest and highest points, then multiply these values to determine the square footage. Larger mastic remover containers can cover approximately 100 square feet but verify the manufacturer’s instructions before you begin to ensure you have enough to accomplish the task.
Step 2
Allow the mastic remover to set according to the manufacturer’s instructions before scraping the glue off the wall with a putty knife or metallic scraper. Wipe the entire wall with a moist towel after cleaning it. Reapply the remover to any excess mastic, wait the prescribed time, and remove the adhesive.
Step 3
Sand the walls carefully with a sanding block to eliminate any residues of mastic. Wipe the walls and inspect the surface for any fissures, gaps, or uneven surfaces.
Step 4
Mix a quantity of joint compound in a metal container and apply a thin coat of mixture for every crack or gap with a joint knife. Push the compound into the recessed area with the knife, leveling it along the adjacent wall. Allow this to dry before checking each area to ensure it is flat with the rest of the wall. If not, add a second layer of the compound similarly and allow it to dry. For deeper cracks or holes, use drywall tape over the first application of compound before applying the second coat. This action helps close the hole while reducing the amount of compound needed for the whole finish.
Step 5
If appropriate, rebuild the wall. In certain circumstances, the wall may so deteriorate that patching each location appears pointless. If this is the case, apply between one to three coats of the compound to the whole wall, applying a thin, equal coating with the joint knife while placing it at an angle of 45 degrees and cleaning the knife off any excess compound as you feather the compound out. Work in tiny sections, beginning at the top center and moving down and out till the entire wall is completed. Keep the applications thin; if the compound is applied too thickly, it will never fully set, leaving the wall inconsistent. Allow each coat to cure before putting the next one, then carefully buff every layer before applying the next coat, constantly cleaning the dust from the sanding process with a moist rag. After your last layer, sand it down again for the last time.
Step 6
After sanding each repair, clean the area with a clean towel, and then the process of painting a wall after removing the tile can begin. Apply primer to the entire wall, then finish it as planned.
Pros and cons of smooth bathroom surface wall
For starters, cleaning walls after removing tiles may have necessitated wanting a new bathroom design texture. Before choosing a smooth bathroom panel, let’s explore the pros and cons of smooth bathroom surfaces. Let’s start with the pros.
Pros
- Smooth surface walls provide the bathroom with a smooth, flawless, and modern appearance. They do not show their agedness.
- Bathroom panels with smooth walls are truly watertight. Water will never erode its surface since they fit flawlessly in a seamless way, preventing even the smallest water droplets from leaking through.
- There are several smooth surface bathroom wall alternatives. Solid surface showers come in a variety of colors and designs. They can imitate the appearance of natural stone, such as granite. They might have the appearance of ordinary bathroom walls and can also be a solid color. This flexibility enables room for designing the bathroom to suit one’s needs.
- Because bespoke solid surface shower surrounds may be made to look like tile or stone, but with no grout, you can appreciate the excellent look without the grout cleaning and upkeep. Smooth surface bathroom walls may provide the style you want without the bother.
- Smooth surface bathroom walls may be cut and personalized using common tools such as jigsaws, and they can be readily repaired, refinished, and revived if scratched or damaged.
Cons
With every aspect that has pros, the cons are usually there, too. Let’s look at the cons of a smooth bathroom surface wall.
- Smooth bathroom surface panels are pliable, and mobility can occasionally cause cracking, resulting in leaks. Due to the product’s design, you’re leaving yourself exposed to an issue that you do not desire in your bathroom. The majority of the surface boards are of poor quality and should not be used and so one ought to be keen when choosing them.
- Bathroom surface panels are an expensive alternative. Although boards are less expensive per board when compared to ordinary tiles, they are not less expensive per inch. The price of acquiring and installing is greater.
- Boards are quite restricted when it comes to selection choices. It’s not uncommon to discover only a few selections in your local bathroom store. You might go through tons of boards and still lack the right design and style that fits your bathroom.
- Boards are restrictive when it comes to heights. The maximum length in most shower panels is 2.4m, which might cause difficulties with vaulted ceilings. Although a connector in the center is feasible, it can serve as a distraction from the elegant aesthetic that bathroom boards provide.
How to smooth bathroom walls after removing tile: Tips
Now that we have learned the process of smoothing a wall after removing tiles, here are more tips to enhance an even smoother bathroom outlook with design and functionality.
- Cover the flooring and toilet with a drop cloth and painter’s tape before beginning the smoothing procedure to avoid damage from the mastic remover and primer.
- Work in a well-ventilated space to prevent inhaling specks of dust and other products from the sanding process to avoid health problems caused by dust or fume inhalation.
- When choosing the smooth bathroom design, think of a lighter shade of color to make the room feel spacious.
- Use a design structure that is slippery-proof to improve safety while using the bathroom.
- Allowing the mastic remover to cure according to the manufacturer’s recommendations before scraping the adhesive off the wall with a putty knife or metallic scraper is always recommended.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have to replaster after removing tiles?
Yes. Regardless of whether the tiles peel off effortlessly, the result will be unsuitable for a paint job. It is quite rare for tiles and glue to come off and leave a lovely, clean surface that only needs a little pretreatment.
How do your smooth surfaces after removing tile?
To smooth the walls after removing tile, use a mastic dissolver and then a rough sanding block. Before applying primer, you may need to fill up holes using a joint compound and a putty knife or scraper.
How do you sand after removing the tile?
To sand after removing tile, apply joint compound to holes and uneven wall spots and let it set. Use a sanding block and carefully use a circular motion to smoothen out the area that is uneven. Stop when pleased with the finish.
Can you plaster over the tiles bathroom?
No, you cannot plaster over bathroom tiles. There will be no traction to adhere to on tiles. What one can do is to strip them off and skim-coat instead and then add joint compound to any gaps or uneven wall locations and let it dry. After that, smoothen up the uneven areas using a sanding block and a gentle circular motion. Stop when you’re satisfied with the outcome.
Conclusion
How to smooth bathroom walls after removing tiles is a process that can be done by anyone so long as one has all the tools. While repairing plaster walls after removing tiles can be done by anyone, a rule of thumb is to always adhere to the simple but crucial techniques within each step of the work plan. If tiles pulled plaster off while removing the tiles, one could always skim-coat the spots with a joint compound. It is high time you have given your bathroom the desired smooth finish to crave for. Happy remodeling.
References
- https://blog.innovatebuildingsolutions.com/2019/04/22/pros-cons-shower-wall-panels-vs-ceramic-tile/
- https://www.houzz.com/magazine/10-design-tips-for-preventing-slips-in-the-bathroom-stsetivw-vs~153107114
- https://www.angi.com/articles/benefits-using-solid-surface-your-bathroom.htm
- https://practiceadvices.com/data/advice/read/269730-do-you-have-to-plaster-a-wall-after-removing-tiles
- https://www.floorstowalls.co.uk/blogs/news/the-benefits-of-using-waterproof-pvc-shower-panels
- https://www.alanheathandsons.co.uk/the-main-disadvantages-of-pvc-wall-panels-in-your-bathroom/
- https://homeguides.sfgate.com/smooth-bathroom-walls-after-removing-tile-37776.html
