Is it possible to safely remove tiles from one wall and clean and replace them on another?
Workmen had to remove the bath to clear a blockage in the pipes and broke 4 wall tiles in the process. They replaced them with four completely different tiles which look dreadful. I was thinking of taking tiles from another wall to replace the odd ones and putting up a long mirror to cover up the empty spaces. The whole bathroom was tiled about eight years ago and we can't get any replacements. Any suggestions please??

Eileen Wilson, December 2005

I see that as usual, most people swayed off target when answering! :)

Removing tiles around a tub faucet was my first job as a tile apprentice to fix a leak AFTER we installed them the day before on a renovation. I was not very successful in preserving much more than 50% of the tiles an trying to remove the thinset was a bear. Luckily in this case the tile was "standard" and we found replacements.

The bottom line is if they we set using thinset then you have very little chance of getting them off cleanly an without braking them! This is the point. :) However, if they were set using mastic you may have better luck.

I tried a chisel, pry bar, screwdriver and grinder. I have not found the "best" way yet even after all these years. Sorry.

Craig, April 2009

hello.... you will need a bit of experience to remove the old tiles and you must be prepared to sacrifice a few... however, there is a place i know that will source any old out of production tiles you care to mention.....

i dont have the phone number but ring directory enquiries and ask for just tiles in woodley, reading. they will get your tiles for you...

ivan, January 2006

I did mention using a 'chisel at an angle' to remove remaining tiles when 1 tile removed for access to remaining tiles. This would be better achieved using a flexible wide flat bladed putty knife or similar as less likely to break tile and you can sense any resistance to tile coming off and adjust pressure applied to suit. (gentle pressure does it!!)
The trowel/spatula/knife should be the wider the better to spread the pressure evenly over tile to reduce risk of breaking.

kibby, January 2006

To remove adhesive from tiles you want to use leave to soak in a bowl of hot soapy detergent (washing up liquid) for a few hours. Then scrape off softened adhesive with trowel/pallet knife. (The sort of tool you apply Polyfilla with ...filling small plaster defects/cracks).

kibby, January 2006

Also a few randomly placed contrasting/compatable tiles can free up tiles to replace your dodgy 4 providing the effect is acceptable. Probably only works if existing scheme is plain or nuetral in overall effect.

kibby, January 2006

If you decide to retile completely as long as the existing tiles are soundly attached you can clean them so no soap/grease remains, paint existing with neat UNIBOND PVA adhesive and retile on top.
I have done this 20 years ago and new tiling is still soundly
fixed. Saves a lot mess and hard work removing old tiles.

Hope this helps, good luck.

kibby, January 2006

Always use a good quality waterproof (not water resistant)
adhesive applied with a notched speader and ensure full coverage (4/5 dabs is no good). How often can a perfect tiling job be spoiled by tiles coming loose and can be a real pain to rectify.
Remember the cost of good quality adhesive is small compared with the aggrevation and cost of putting it right. Who wants to do it twice. I have found even proffessional tilers are guilty of this shoddy practice even when the visual finish is perfect.

kibby, January 2006

Remove old tiles by using old pointed knife/flat screwdriver to remove grout.
Drill holes in tile to be removed (break ceramic surface with
sharp point or drill after putting tape on tile to stop slipping)
Use a chisel to crack tile between drilled holes.
Prise off tile , when 1 removed it is easy to use chisel at angle
to remove surrounding tiles. Ensure you are not putting stress on tiles you dont want to remove.
LAST AND NOT LEAST...USE GOOGLES/GLOVES as ceramic can splinter like glass.

kibby, January 2006

Always pays to buy a fair number of extras for spares when tiling as just one broken can give you this problem. Manufacturers don't generally keep stocks of old tiles and anyway just a small batch to batch variation can be so noticeable. DIY stores often obtain stocks on the basis that within weeks when stock is sold out they will not be repeating/unobtainable.
Have you thought of using a compatable/contrasting tile that can be used as a border effect (a row of tiles with or without a horizontal feature) and using the removed redundant tiles to replace the broken ones.
Generally baths are attached to walls with brackets than are then tiled over so this can be a pain if repairs are later needed.
Also bath grips on the adjacent long wall side can come loose and access to re-tighten is impossibble without removing bath. Worth checking tightness / applying a screw thead locking fluid before you complete repairs

kibby, January 2006