Bathroom tiles had to be removed and replaced.
by
Laurajean
+15
I already removed the loose tiles, but how do I get the old cement off of the back of the tile so I could re-cement them down? I tried to chisel, but it's taking forever and I'm afraid I'm going to break one. I don't have any extra for replacement.
This is the back of the tile and the cement is stuck to it.
This is where the tile was. Water got under it and it lifted right off the board. It looks wet, but its not...stained I guess.
13 answers
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Never heard of people trying to put the old tile back on. Wondering if maybe you need new tile if can't find in this color maybe make a long strip of a different color?
Tanya Peterson Felsheim
on Sep 04, 2013
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Old mortar can be ground off with either a 4 inch wheel (for grinding concrete) or very course sandpaper on a grinder. This information is provided by a licensed tile contractor. You also can go with what Tanya said. I know its hard to even find tile that you bought yesterday that has the same dye-lot. We also either do a mosaic to make it a decorative look or find some glass sheet tiles or an accent colored tile down. Don't the lay a tile even if they say its the same one you need to make sure its the same dye lot. Its better to have contrast than look like you you replaced broken tiles. we have this situation alot more than you think. GOOD Luck!
Julz Goldfarb-Carver
on Sep 04, 2013
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As a professional remodeler we almost always would replace the tile with new. The chances of grinding thinset off without breaking a tile for a novice is slim. That is what we would do if the customer insisted. www.bdmassociates.net
Bret M
on Sep 05, 2013
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Thanks everyone. Thats what I was afraid of. Its unfortunate that it's the second row from the shower. I had 4 spare replacement tiles that I used to fix the first row last year. I did a great job, they won't budge. Ugh!
Laurajean
on Sep 05, 2013
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Grinding the cement off the back of the tile isn't terribly difficult with the right tools (4" grinder). Wear a mask and go slow. The tile lifted very easily which probably means it wasn't set correctly when it was installed.
Hands On Home Improvements
on Sep 05, 2013
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Is this just me, or does that look like the back of the Durock panel. The smooth side should go towards the wall framing. As far as the tile, we've had luck soaking them for a day or two in water. www.houseworksunlimited.com
Houseworks Unlimited, Inc.
on Sep 05, 2013
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Make sure when you use that grinder to clamp the tile down good. I know it may sound like a silly comment, but I had a friend do that and it went flying across the garage and sliced into the sheet rock (and shattered the tile). The sheet rock was easy to fix, but not his pride.
Nancy
on Sep 06, 2013
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we used a heat gun much then scrape glue off while holding heat gun on glue make sure you wear leather gloves while scraping glue because the heat from the heat gun gets hot. but it melts the glue so it scrapes right off. Much easier then trying to grind it off. Plus make sure you have good ventilation, Mary
Mary Sevey
on Sep 06, 2013
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You can also try soaking the tile in HOT vinegar. It loosens a lot of old glue and we did this on 2 pieces of loose tile years ago. I took about 3 days of repeatedly taking the tile out of the bucket, scraping off the soft stuff, heating up more vinegar and putting the tile back in but it did work. Glue formulas have changed a lot since then tho! Good luck!
Anne
on Sep 06, 2013
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Hello Laurajean! Depending on where the tiles were that you had to take off or else came off on their own accord, you could make a mural with some decorative tiles. They do have some lovely ones on ebay and etsy. I love Alphonse Mucha's work and you can find lots of tile murals with his pics for the bathroom or kitchen. Have a looksey and see what you can find. I know that a lot of sellers can put any artwork that you might happen to like on the tiles that you are interested in.Best of luck to you! :)
Larose LoganOakes
on Sep 06, 2013
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I want to thank everyone for all the suggestions and help with my tile saga. So, the solution was to grab a tool called a Chicago Variable Speed Oscillating Multifunction Power Tool that I bought my husband about two years ago. (he never used it). I attached the scraper and just started chiseling the cement up. It was actually not too much work at all. I will put them back down tomorrow. All is good! Thanks again :)
Laurajean
on Sep 10, 2013
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Yea! So glad it worked. much cheaper than so many other options. Hope really holds in there and lasts for years for you! My builder really talked me into manufactured marble...looks like granite to match my granite...but since its manufactured It really has no seams, no grout, no corners and even has a beautiful trim across the top. He says it will last a lifetime and it has come so far from what they used to have in the 70s and I have gotten many compliments. Doubt I'd ever use Tile again....
Tanya Peterson Felsheim
on Sep 10, 2013
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I have to agree. We had this house built about 7 years ago and we were only given the builders options. Next time I will be doing it much differently. Thanks :)
Laurajean
on Sep 11, 2013
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