pszwayka had written this in response to
http://www.thestuccocompany.com/main...-cement-adhesi
ve-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.

I get this job fairly regularly.

I usually use a putty knife as a chisel to knock off the old thinset.
Sometimes I use a cold chisel to get off large chunks from the wall,
but that's rare.

* Knock off as much of the old thinset as you can. You _must_ get off
_some_ of it from the entire surface, or the new thinset will cause the
tile to be proud of the surface.
* Be careful not to break the tile. Put a thick layer of towels on
your lap, set the tile on your thigh, and hammer on it with a putty
knife. A flexible knife is safer for the tile than a stiff one, since
it will bend and slip instead of breaking the tile. Neither of them is
particularly safe for your leg. ;-)
* Apply the new adhesive and set the tile in place. Thinset is good,
but mastic designed for tile is OK too. I'd probably use mastic,
because I have an open tub in the garage. Thinset I'd have to buy and
mix.

* Don't put mastic on wet plywood--it won't set. I learned that one the
hard way.


--
Steve Bell
New Life Home Improvement
Arlington, TX USA