How to Replace Drywall Under a Tile Baseboard

Removing Tile

• 1

  Open windows in the room for ventilation. Close doors or seal off doorways with plastic to eliminate cross-drafts. Place a tarp down in front of the work area to catch debris.

• 2

  Measure the length of the damaged area along the tiles with a measuring tape.

• 3

  Cut the caulking between the tiles and the floor with a small putty knife. Use the corner of the knife to dig out the caulking. Repeat this step for the caulking between the top of the tiles and the wall.

• 4

  Attach a carbide grout blade to a rotary tool used for cutting. Cut out the grout between the tiles. Make sure the blade is at a fast speed to cut the grout. Cut the grout down to the adhesive underneath it.

• 5

  Place the tip of a small pry bar in between the tile and the wall. Push down on the curved end of the bar, while wiggling the bar slightly back and forth. Create a wedge between the tile and the wall. Apply pressure against the back of the tile with the bar until it pops off the wall. Repeat this step for each tile to be removed.

Replacing Drywall

• 6

  Isolate the damage on the drywall. Determine the highest point and the length of the damaged area. Draw a line with a level set against the wall from the top of the tile to the highest point of damage. Draw a line across the damaged area from end to end. This gives an approximate gauge of the amount of drywall to be replaced.

• 7

  Use a stud finder to locate the nearest studs outside the damaged area. You will attach the new drywall to these studs. If the damaged area is larger, locate all the studs within the damaged area. Use a pencil to mark the locations of the studs.

• 8

  Cut along the drawn lines with a utility knife. Several repetitive cuts will be required to reach the studs underneath the drywall. Remove the drywall within the cut areas.

• 9

  Measure the dimensions of the cut-out drywall piece. Subtract 1/16 inch from the height and width of the measurements. Cut the new drywall piece using the final measurements. The smaller size allows easier fitting in the hole.

• 10

  Mount the new piece of drywall into position. The sides should touch the centers of a stud on either end. Drill drywall screws into the ends. Space vertical screws every 8 inches up the studs. Repeat the screw placement on each stud the piece crosses.

• 11

  Unroll enough drywall tape to cover each edge of the drywall. Cut the tape with a knife. Apply the tape to stick to one end. Press firmly as you line up the tape to straddle the seam between the new and old drywall.

• 12

  Apply a layer of plaster over the drywall tape with a putty knife. Smooth out the plaster by pressing the end of the knife against the tape as you move along the tape from end to end. It may take more than one pass to cover the tape and remove excess plaster. Remove as much putty as possible while keeping the tape covered.

• 13

  Allow the plaster to dry overnight. Sand the plaster with medium-grit sandpaper. Brush off the dust.