Old tiles uncovered. What to do?

Bad Panda · Post by **Bad Panda** » Sat Oct 18, 2008 2:40 pm

Hi all,
I've found a lot of answers to my DIY questions on here in the past, so thought it would be a good time to pick your brains with a new topic.

I've been doing an admittedly patchy redecorating job in the bathroom. I intend to get the house extended in a couple of years so didn't want to spend too much time and money on a room that will be completely redone around that time. Whilst preparing to attach new skirting boards I noticed that a large piece of wood panelling (put there by the previous house owners) was coming away from the wall. I caught a glimpse of some old tiles underneath so removed the panelling altogether to get a good look. You can see from the photo that there is a good set of white and black tiles underneath, probably from when the house was built in the 1930s (though not sure about this).

My questions is, what are my options? Could I repair the broken tiles, clean up the white so it actually becomes white and replace the blue tiles on the surrounding walls with a black design? Is it really worth keeping these old tiles, are they valuable? Any options would be greatly appreciated.

bathstyle · Post by **bathstyle** » Sat Oct 18, 2008 3:42 pm

Rip it all out, you cant patch up tiles old or new, white or coloured. Unless you have spare tiles bought at the same time

Post by **ultimatehandyman** » Sat Oct 18, 2008 3:45 pm

If you remove the old ones carefully without damaging them, you might be able to sell them to an antique dealer- it depends how old they are.

Bad Panda · Post by **Bad Panda** » Sun Oct 19, 2008 12:24 pm

Thanks for the advice. I don't suppose they could be more than 70-odd years old so probably aren't worth much. I might try and get a rough valuation though. I'm tempted to take the lazy option for now and cover them back up. Something will have to be done when the extension is built so it may be worth leaving it for now.

bathstyle · Post by **bathstyle** » Sun Oct 19, 2008 6:54 pm

It's likely they are stuck on with a cement slurry, very difficult to remove

Hoovie · Post by **Hoovie** » Mon Oct 20, 2008 7:16 am

My last 1930's house had tiles like that in the kitchen and bathroom - half the wall comes away with the tile when you try and remove.
You prob need to smash them away with a club and bolster and make good the knackered wall or tile over (and you are very close to the door architrave already!)

The tiles are not worth anything, I think. They, or a variation of them, would have been found in virtually every house built in the 1930's (and that's a LOT of houses).

I personally think they look good and if you are going for a period refit of the bathroom, you can get plenty repro styles like them.
The only thing with that tile style is that it is also extremely common in public toilets and that may not be a desirable look

Bad Panda · Post by **Bad Panda** » Mon Oct 20, 2008 7:58 am

Thanks. There is a good chance I'll go for a period style when I get the extenson done. The panelling came away in one piece so I'll stick that back on for now. I'm no fan of panelling, but at least it will keep the tiles as they are and cover them up.