BIG DILEMMA!!! Need help removing mosaic backsplash in kitchen.

[xazilizax]

So, my mother decided to take on a big project she couldn't handle herself, so now I am here for the holidays trying to help her remove this disaster backsplash boo boo she did. Luckily, she didn't mess up the entire kitchen, but it's big enough to shake my head in despair. lol

In these 2 photos, you can see the big mess. (Yea, I also need to help her paint.) The other pic is of the sticky product she used to stick the backsplash onto the wall. I don't know what to do. It's hard to break off the mosaic (which I managed to break off a few) and then peel off the sticky thing from the wall.

HELPPPPPPP!!!!!!!!!

[Carbidetooth]

Any grout in there?

I have a couple of these I use for all kinds of removal tasks.

http://www.amazon.com/Shark-21-2225-.../dp/B0000224TY

The broad back allows some leverage without punching holes in drywall. I'd start there. The super-flypaper may be tougher. It may prove easier to "split" the paper face on drywall and just figure on doing some patching. My guess is it's pretty stuck but a stiff putty knife would be where I'd start. I've even turned Shark over and used it like a scraper.

Experimentation will tell you where to go. What are your plans after removal?

[xazilizax]

Yep! There's grout in it.

Well, I told my mother NOT to touch the kitchen anymore without asking someone for help. haha

I'm just going to help her paint. Nothing else will be done to it for now.

I really don't want to damage her wall. I don't know too much of what I'm doing when it comes to walls, so it will be a little scary for me if I'll be putting holes in her wall. Ugh!

[Bodie Powers]

We use a Vaughan Super Bar....the pry head is angled for vertical applications, and is wide which is good for tile removal. Put it in position then give it a whack with a hammer.

[cx]

Welcome, xazilizax. Please change that permanent signature line to a first name for us to use.

[sancyk]

Once you have removed the tile, maybe a hair dryer can be used to soften the adhesive enough to peel off that membrane.

[cx]

Liza, you might wanna contact the manufacturer of that product to see if they know what chemical might loosen their adhesive. I've never seen the product and ain't got a clue.

Or start with the FAQ section of their website.

[Tool Guy - Kg]

I'd experiment with a hair dryer on the exposed flypaper stuff to see if that assists in removing it. If it comes off, then I'd proceed with a relatively thin putty knife positioned at a super shallow angle (so it doesn't want to penetrate into the drywall) between the drywall and tiles. Tap the top of the handle with a hammer to drive the putty knife forward to separate the tiles. Do protect yourself and the area from the breaking glass.

If that doesn't want to work, you could just remove the drywall (tile and all) and replace it. Cut around the perimeter of the tile and pull it out. If you can't make the "bottom cut" along the countertop because the tile is in the way, make the top and whatever side cuts you can make and pull the board forward...it will break small or large sections of drywall out at a time. Not exactly clean, but could be pretty effective. Drywall is cheap, so this might be an attractive option over trying to slowly remove and clean the tiles.