how to remove cement / adhesive from ceramic tile before re-attaching it to floor

Posted by Alan on February 12, 2005, 7:29 pm

I had to lift up two loose tiles on a bathroom floor. The tiles were
installed about 3 years ago by a professional over a new plywood subfloor
with a gray colored adhesive - or cement. I was able to remove the tiles
easily without damage and need to reattach after drying the wood floor -
some water got underthe tile. I have some extra tile but would not rather
bother to rent a tile cutter etc unless really needed so I thought I could
chip or scrape carefully to get some off. The tiles only have about one
third of the surface wiht the cement.

Is there chemical that would help (phosphoric acid tile cleaner?) or do I
just need to scrape? Do I need to get most of it off or just enough to be
able to re cement it down and not have a high tile.

thanks

alan

Posted by pray4surf on February 13, 2005, 3:02 am

: I had to lift up two loose tiles on a bathroom floor. The tiles were
: installed about 3 years ago by a professional over a new plywood subfloor
: with a gray colored adhesive - or cement. I was able to remove the tiles
: easily without damage and need to reattach after drying the wood floor -
: some water got underthe tile. I have some extra tile but would not
rather
: bother to rent a tile cutter etc unless really needed so I thought I could
: chip or scrape carefully to get some off. The tiles only have about one
: third of the surface wiht the cement.
:
: Is there chemical that would help (phosphoric acid tile cleaner?) or do I
: just need to scrape? Do I need to get most of it off or just enough to be
: able to re cement it down and not have a high tile.
:
: thanks
:
: alan
:
:

At the risk of being flamed...

I'm currently installing tile and using a thin plywood for spacing. I'm have
decent luck sanding the plywood spacers for re-use as I progress. I don't
think that you are going to have any luck 'chipping' the dry material off.
Likely you'll break the tile..

Unless others have a better suggestion...

Rick

Posted by on February 13, 2005, 6:58 am

I was able to remove the tiles
easily without damage and need to reattach after drying the wood floor
-
some water got underthe tile.
<<<<

I would get a bucket of hot water and a stiff bristled (or wire)
brush.

Just like the water loosened the tiles on your floor, water will loosen
the 'thinset' and it will come right off.

Lewis.

******

Posted by Alan on February 13, 2005, 5:05 pm

Thanks to all - all good suggestions. Now I will see what works best for
me.

alan

>I had to lift up two loose tiles on a bathroom floor. The tiles were
>installed about 3 years ago by a professional over a new plywood subfloor
>with a gray colored adhesive - or cement. I was able to remove the tiles
>easily without damage and need to reattach after drying the wood floor -
>some water got underthe tile. I have some extra tile but would not
>rather bother to rent a tile cutter etc unless really needed so I thought I
>could chip or scrape carefully to get some off. The tiles only have about
>one third of the surface wiht the cement.
> Is there chemical that would help (phosphoric acid tile cleaner?) or do I
> just need to scrape? Do I need to get most of it off or just enough to be
> able to re cement it down and not have a high tile.
> thanks
> alan
>

Posted by pszwayka on December 17, 2008, 4:36 pm

pszwayka had written this in response to
http://www.thestuccocompany.com/maintenance/how-to-remove-cement-adhesive-from-ceramic-tile-before-re-1629-.htm
:
what answer did allen get i have the same problem?

-------------------------------------
Alan wrote:

> I had to lift up two loose tiles on a bathroom floor. The tiles were
> installed about 3 years ago by a professional over a new plywood
> subfloor
> with a gray colored adhesive - or cement. I was able to remove the
> tiles
> easily without damage and need to reattach after drying the wood floor
> -
> some water got underthe tile. I have some extra tile but would not
> rather
> bother to rent a tile cutter etc unless really needed so I thought I
> could
> chip or scrape carefully to get some off. The tiles only have about
> one
> third of the surface wiht the cement.

> Is there chemical that would help (phosphoric acid tile cleaner?) or do
> I
> just need to scrape? Do I need to get most of it off or just enough to
> be
> able to re cement it down and not have a high tile.

> thanks

> alan

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