• Remove tile with chisels and putty knives.ceramic tile image by Karin Lau from Fotolia.com
  
  Tile countertops are typically made out of long-lasting materials like ceramic, which is bonded with strong adhesives and lined with grout. Some cheaper countertops may be made with vinyl tiles, while more expensive versions may be made with granite or even marble. Homeowners who want to exchange their current tile countertop with a new version must be prepared for a large project requiring tiling experience.
  
  

Wear Safety Equipment

• Safety equipment is an important part of removing tile. Many types of tile will chip and create dust when they are removed. Homeowners removing tile should wear goggles, masks, and gloves. Earplugs may also help block out the noise of power tools.
  
  

Start by Removing Fixtures

• In most kitchens, the tile rests against or even goes underneath many of the fixtures, including sinks and ovens. In this case, homeowners must remove the fixtures before removing the tile itself. This not only makes the tile easier to access, it keeps homeowners from accidentally damaging the fixtures themselves when chipping out the tile.
  
  

Use Chisels and Putty Knives

• Chisels and putty knives are both useful tools when removing countertop tile. The chisel can be used to break apart a resistant tile or loosen a new row of tile. The putty knife is used to pry up sections of tile homeowners have already loosened, sometimes without damaging the tile itself, allowing for faster, easier removal.
  
  

Remove Grout First

• Before homeowners tackle the tile, they should use chisels and possibly power tools to remove the grout lines first. The grout acts as a strong mortar, holding the tiles in place, and homeowners will find it easier to remove the tile when the grout has already been chipped out.
  
  

Use Solvents Only if Necessary

• Homeowners should always try to remove tiles with their putty knives first. This may not work if the adhesive used to bind the tiles is particularly strong, or if the tiles have been bonded to a surface that holds the tile tightly. In this case, homeowners should use a solvent designed specifically for tile adhesive removal to help the process.
  
  

Clean the Exposed Surface

• Once the tile is removed, it is common to have bits of adhesive and mortar remaining on the counter surface. These pieces must be removed before a new countertop can be added. Homeowners can either remove the cement backerboard entirely, or chip and sand away the adhesives until the surface is smooth.