Removal of Ceramic Tile and Reuse
 

I have a kitchen with 8" ceramic tiles.
There is one spot, in particular,
where 4 or 5 of the tiles are cracked.
I went to the tile store and they "no
longer make that tile." They did have a
close 2nd, however, it does look a
little different. If I could safely
remove a few tiles from a less
conspicuous place and install them where
the cracked tile are presently, it would
look a whole lot better. The new tiles
could then be used to replace the
removed tiles. Does anyone know of a
way to remove tiles in one piece? BTW,
there is unfinished basement below.
And, the original tile was put down with
thin set. Thanks.

Removal of Ceramic Tile and Reuse
 

On Mar 13, 9:23�am, Art Todesco wrote:
I have a kitchen with 8" ceramic tiles.
� There is one spot, in particular,
where 4 or 5 of the tiles are cracked.
I went to the tile store and they "no
longer make that tile." �They did have a
� close 2nd, however, it does look a
little different. �If I could safely
remove a few tiles from a less
conspicuous place and install them where
the cracked tile are presently, it would
look a whole lot better. �The new tiles
could then be used to replace the
removed tiles. �Does anyone know of a
way to remove tiles in one piece? �BTW,
there is unfinished basement below.
And, the original tile was put down with
thin set. �Thanks.

you will likely break more attempting to remove them. if thats
critical you likely better off hiring a tile guy.

and no matter what you MUST address why the original tiles cracked.
likely bad substrate.

you have scrape all grout out, then get behind and pry off wall.
hopefully someone can better describe it than me.

try other tile suppliers and sometimes tile repair guys have old tiles
that may be a better match.

I have done it twice after seeing it done.

Removal of Ceramic Tile and Reuse
 

On Mar 13, 12:49 pm, " wrote:
On Mar 13, 9:23�am, Art Todesco wrote:



I have a kitchen with 8" ceramic tiles.
� There is one spot, in particular,
where 4 or 5 of the tiles are cracked.
I went to the tile store and they "no
longer make that tile." �They did have a
� close 2nd, however, it does look a
little different. �If I could safely
remove a few tiles from a less
conspicuous place and install them where
the cracked tile are presently, it would
look a whole lot better. �The new tiles
could then be used to replace the
removed tiles. �Does anyone know of a
way to remove tiles in one piece? �BTW,
there is unfinished basement below.
And, the original tile was put down with
thin set. �Thanks.

you will likely break more attempting to remove them. if thats
critical you likely better off hiring a tile guy.

and no matter what you MUST address why the original tiles cracked.
likely bad substrate.

you have scrape all grout out, then get behind and pry off wall.
hopefully someone can better describe it than me.

try other tile suppliers and sometimes tile repair guys have old tiles
that may be a better match.

I have done it twice after seeing it done.

It will be difficult to get them up in one piece if they are not
already loose. My experience is about 50 - 50. If you can get a flat
bar under the edge and slowly knock it further in under the tile -
they may pop.

As stated above, you need to deal with what is causing the cracking
before placing new tiles - chances are they will crack also. My
thoughts are inadequate sub-floor.

Removal of Ceramic Tile and Reuse
 

You will break so many of the old tiles doing this that there will be
enough of the new tiles to make the pattern seem intentional!