Removing tiles without breaking?

[Nigel Molesworth]

I'm re-fitting my kitchen and don't have quite enough tiles. The ones I'm removing are mounted on chipboard, with waterproof adhesive.

Any suggestions how to remove them without breaking them?

[R.P.McMurphy]

VERY CAREFULLY!

;-)

Steve

[Dave Liquorice]

B-)

It really depends on how well stuck they are. If they are well stuck I'd say you are on a hiding to nothing. You could try soaking for several hours and/or a steam wallpaper stripper type thing to soften the goo. A large flat cold chisel, a bolster might be to thick and not allow you to get close enough to the wall. Experiment, does getting the sharp edge right along the goo line a single sharp tap bring the tile off or do you need to gently weedle something thin in and basically cut the tile off?

[zymurgy]

Always, always buy overs. Topps tiles take them back without a quibble.

Good luck getting the old ones off. Thin stripping scraper behind the tile /might/ loosen it. Can't you get a match at any local tile warehouses ?

P.

[Rob Morley]

Try removing the tiles complete with chipboard and soak in water for a few days - the adhesive should release from the chipboard then you'll just need to carefully scrape it off the tiles. Steaming might help.

[Chris Hodges]

Taking them off plaster with a bolster chisel about 1/2 came off intact (often bringing plaster with them). If they're on chip I would soften the chip with water and scrape it off the tiles. Waterproof adhesive is softened by paint stripper or heat (but not through the tiles - they'd crack)

[Chris Bacon]

No, just add more vinegar and wrap in newspaper.

Oh! *Chipboard*?

[Nigel Molesworth]

Sounds a bit fishy to me.

Thanks for the ideas guys.