DIY Novice - how easy to do this...

[redrabbit]

My kitchen has tiles between the work surface and the top cupboards and they aren't that nice looking.

How easy would it be to remove the tiles, and re-tile using whatever ones I like?

I'm a bit worried about getting them off and damaging the wall, or trying to tile around plug sockets in the wall too.

However I'm willing to learn and keen to have a go.

 

[kbdiy]

There are 2 main considerations in my view.

Firstly do you know what tools you might need and do you have them? For example removing the tiles will probably require a good hammer and bolster chisel. Tiling will require a decent tile cutter, spirit level and tape measure at the very least. And anything else that might be needed along the way.

Secondly there's the 'how good are you' to consider. Knocking tiles off the wall can create a considerable amount of damage, especially if you do not know, or cannot recognise, what type of wall is below the tiles. Then the wall will need making good to provide a decent surface to tile onto. Can you plaster a wall? Cutting tiles round electrical sockets can be tricky and is easier to do with the sockets removed. But how good is your electrical knowledge? Can you do that safely?

And that's just the basics. There will be plenty of other little obstacles along the way which are impossible to predict in a forum such as this. Much depends on how perfect you want the finished tiling to be. The cost of materials, if you're not particularly confident could make this a costly exercise if it goes badly or you just have to live with it, so it could end up looking no better or even worse than what you have now.

So I'm afraid that asking 'how easy is it' doesn't make for an easy answer. It sounds like I am putting you off but without knowing anything about your abilities, it's almost impossible to give a definite answer. As this is apparently your first time then trying to get someone to help you who has done it before (and well) is the better way to learn.

 

[footprints]

You will not know till you try one or two, some come off easy others are stuck like you know what to a blanket!

There is the option to tile on tile, just clean throughly with sugar soap or similar to remove ALL traces of grease etc. Then tile away, it does depend on how deep your sockets are most have a little bit of slack in the cables, but if really tight the extra layer of tiles might be too much to bring them forward on to the surface of the new tiles.

Some people tile around the sockets that is a first rate bodge! Imagine what will happen if you have a fault or needed to change a socket and the sparks has to dig it out!

Treat yourself to a wet electric tile cutter basic ones start around £40 then cutting L shapes out for sockets is a doddle