Pulling up and Salvaging Tiles

[JoeyGee]

As a continuation of my water problems, I figured I would start a new thread with my new questions.

I need to pull out some tiles from my shower floor to check for damage and repair underneath and behind. Is there a way to pull them out without breaking them?

If and when I do break them, is there a source for replacement tiles without knowing the original source? On ATOH once, Joe Ferrante found a replacement for an ancient tile. The homeowner asked him where, and he said it's a "trade secret". I am sure it was just the ridiculous banter that show is known for, but I would love to find a source for matching tiles.

I think they came from Lowes, and the bath remodel isn't that old (done before we bought the place) so HOPEFULLY I can find some new ones.

Also, what's the best way to remove the grout? I have seen those Dremel attachments. Are they worth it, or should I just use a screwdriver and/or chisel? I think I might re-grout the whole shower while I'm at it.

[DaveS]

They sell a special grout removal tool - they are a good bit easier to use than a screw driver and a chisel. They aren't too expensive.

I watched a friend try to use the grout removal bit on a roto-zip... chipped the edge of a number of them... it was fast though (though dusty). He was trying to replace a lot of grout, not just a couple tiles worth.

I'd say you will not be successful in getting the first tile out unbroken... the others, you may get lucky. It really depends on the size/thickness of the tiles, and how well they are installed.

Perhaps, you could remove tiles in a strategic pattern such that you could replace them with a contrasting tile (new) and make it look artsy, sort of like an accent.

[pecker]

Last year I had to remove a bunch of 9 x 9 tiles and needed to salvage at least half from an 8ft x 6ft area. I put a masonry cutting wheel on a circular saw, set the depth to about 1/4", and just plowed right along the grout lines. This worked surprisingly well. A variety of putty knives and small pry bars removed about 80% of them undamaged.

I used a large steel wire wheel in a hand held drill to remove the mortar and the rest of the grout from them.

I think it would be really hard to find replacements if they came from Lowes. Unless you had a box showing the manufacturer and lot/style/color # on it. They could have been made in most any country...perhaps only one giant lot was produced specifically for Lowes, one time only. And when they're gone, they're gone. Some of the tiles I have purchased over the years came from stores that don't even exist anymore...even the brands of grout are not even sold now.

[eccentrictinkerer]

I do a lot of tile repair using a Dremel and a Rotozip with small carbide bits. I don't even attempt to salvage the tile, but I get lucky 40% of the time.

Sometimes a thorough search of the basement and garage yields a cache of the matching tile.

I also go to our local Re-use center and architectural salvage yards for matching tile. Most pro tile setters keep a few tiles from each job. I tried that, but space management issues in my shop kept me from continuing.

I've also found that an impact tool with a really sharp chisel point works well for the demolition.

As far as grout is concerned, if the original is any where near the standard Brght White, just use Bright White. In a year it will look just like the old stuff.

[just started]

The Fein Multimaster works really well on grout and tile removal.

[os1kne]

I am working to retile an 80 sq. ft. section in my basement, where a crappy old bar used to be. There wasn't any tile under the bar, so I needed to find tile to match the tile that the previous owner laid around 5 years ago, purchased from Lowe's. I looked all over and couldn't find anything close, so I just ripped it all up. I would think that without manufacturer/style info that finding matching tiles is extemely difficult.

Good luck.