Can I Put Sheetrock Over My Tile Walls?

Considerations

• Tiled walls are only as durable as the adhesion and backing behind the tile and grout. Although tiles may hold up for years, they are notorious for loosening over time. Attaching new Sheetrock over old tiles creates weight on top of the tiles, increasing the risk of detachment. Loose tiles can result in furring strips and Sheetrock that fails to bond tightly to the underlying wall studs.

Removing Old Tile

• Removing the old tile prior to installing Sheetrock eliminates the risk of tile loosening underneath that may result in unstable wall surfaces. Although taking off the tiles may take some time and effort, it is the safest way to replace tiled walls with Sheetrock. Begin by chipping out the grout from between the tiles using a chisel and masonry hammer. Use the chisel to pry up any loose tiles, and break apart stubborn tiles with your hammer.

Prepping the Walls

• The best ways to prepare previously tiled walls for new Sheetrock depends on the underlying surface. Removing the tiles may damage the underlayment. If the tile underlayment material, such as greenboard, has cracks or chips, you will need to remove it from the underlying wall studs.

Sheetrock Installation

• Install Sheetrock over undamaged underlayment or over the bare wall studs. Remove any bumps or stubborn adhesive from the underlayment prior to placing the Sheetrock. Hammer any raised nails into the exposed studs and underlayment, making them even with the surface. Small bumps and raised nails can cause the sheetrock to crack or bubble, resulting in an uneven wall surface.