Ceramic Tile Removal

rebecca.cullen · Posted: Fri Jul 16, 2004 11:32 am Post Subject: Ceramic Tile Removal

I have some ceramic tiles in my house which i would like to remove without damaging them as i think they may be valuable. The only thing is, the house is really old and the tiles aren't layed in the method we use today. They are actually inset in concrete. Can you please help??? Thank you.

TexMex · Posted: Mon Jul 19, 2004 5:27 am Post Subject:

Soak in concentrated Hydrochloric acid for about 5 years. Then brush gently, rinse thoroughly and allow to dry.

rebecca.cullen · Posted: Mon Jul 19, 2004 11:58 am Post Subject: 5 Years????

Do you really mean 5 years??? Thanks

TexMex · Posted: Mon Jul 19, 2004 12:00 pm Post Subject:

It's only a stab in the dark, but it would take an awefully long time, and I can't think of anything else that would remotely work.

rebecca.cullen · Posted: Mon Jul 19, 2004 12:06 pm Post Subject:

Thanks. I'm stuck for ideas but detemined to remove them. Will try getting the grout out first and go from there.

Diyisfun · Posted: Mon Jul 19, 2004 12:21 pm Post Subject:

A few years ago I wanted to remove some special hand painted tiles as I had a problem in the wall behind them.

I soaked the back of the tile by letting a sponge drip in from above after a few days (they change colour so you can tell when the tile is wet) (the back of the tile is porose). I then used a wallpaper scraper behind them to prise them off, yes they came off. I then soaked them in a water for many weeks & removed the adhesive. I was very pleased with the result. But it needed a lot of patients. Surprised myself with how much I had.

rebecca.cullen · Posted: Mon Jul 19, 2004 12:25 pm Post Subject:

Well if it worked for you diyisfun i will definitly give it a go. Patience isn't a problem, got plenty of that. So long as they come off whole i'm happy. Thanks for the advice.

2scoops0406 · Posted: Mon Jul 19, 2004 3:23 pm Post Subject:

You need to look at restoration / specialist websites, I think this could be difficult. I don't think the HCL thing was that serious

rebecca.cullen · Posted: Mon Jul 19, 2004 3:25 pm Post Subject:

Any suggestions for a website?? I'm more than willing to get a specialist in to get them off. Thanks eddie

TexMex · Posted: Mon Jul 19, 2004 7:04 pm Post Subject:

I think Diyisfun was probably quite lucky. Sometimes tiles come away from sand/cement easy as pie (even when you don't want them to). Other times they practically get completely assimilated into the slab. This depends on a whole raft of factors, such as tile structure, sand/cement mixture used, even the humidity and temperature on the day they were laid.

I prefer to get the tiles to lift before removing the grout. If you put the slightest nick in the edge of the tile, it will create a week point that will cause the tile to snap under further manipulation.

My favorite tool for lifting the tiles when I want to reuse them is a steel ruler. (the thinner the better). Anything like a bolster or chissel, once inserted more than a couple of millimetres forces the edge of the tile up, and therefore snaps it (as it is still held down in the middle).

Tap the steel ruler under the edge of the tile and when it won't go in any further, tap it from side to side to clear the channel, then in further, etc.. Eventually either, the whole tile pops off

, or a bit of it does

Just don't try to lever the tile up at any time, or it will probably snap.

I am being serious this time, but it's still only a suggestion.