"Cindy" wrote in message
m...
"Charles Spitzer" wrote in message
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"Cindy" wrote in message
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Both of my showers have a valve that sends water either to the shower
head or to the tub nozzle, and both valves are frozen in the wall. The
plumber told me he would have to break the wall in each bathroom. My
question: how do I get the tiles off so that I can reinstall them
after the repair? I can't get any more of these colors and forsee
disaster unless I can somehow preserve every single one of the
existing tiles. One posting in this group, in answer to another
person's question, suggested breaking the tiles off the wall and be
sure to put a blanket below (presumably so the tiles won't shatter as
they fall). But, how do you get each tile off the wall in one piece
without cracking or chipping it? I would be willing to spend an
entire month with dental floss and solvent sawing away underneath the
tiles to break the seal. Has anyone done this or do you have any
suggestions for how to go about it? Is there any solvent you would
recommend to dissolve the glue that is holding the tile to the walls?
Also, how do I get the grout out? I'm a total novice, but am
absolutely determined to save these tiles somehow. Would like to hear
all suggestions, regardless of how time-consuming. Many thanks!

go through the wall on the other side.

(Cindy - can't. The shower is on an outside wall. If it comes to it,
I suppose it is easier to break the wall from the inside rather than
saw through a clapboard exterior to get to the thing, yes? Also, don't
think I could convince anybody to put a ladder up to the second floor
and saw through the exterior wall, anyway. I'm just determined enough
to consider that alternative, however, even if only briefly.)

your choice is going through the outside wall, or replacing all the tile
around the valve, possibly replacing the tile on the wall. it's up to you.

there's going to be no way to do what you want. they are put on with
cement,
which won't dissolved in anything that you'll want to use.

(Cindy - Well, is there anything that I wouldn't want to use but
could possibly succeed with if I were stubborn enough? For example,
something with toxic fumes, or devilishly messy? Will take all
suggestions, regardless of how far-fetched the chance of success might
be. Thanks.)

strong acids will dissolve the cement and are extremely dangerous to use if
you're not prepared for it. however, they will also discolor and possibly
dissolve the tile and/or glaze, so it may ruin the tiles and force you to
retile anyway.