Removal of adhesive from tiles to use again - Help please!

[suze]

My bathroom floor was recently tiled over a heating mat without the first coat of adhesive and as a result the tiles have not stuck to the mat. Does anyone know how I can remove the adhesive which has now become rock solid? To add to my problems, the tiles were Victorian Floor tiles and very expensive so I can't afford to buy them again. A professional tiler advised that I should throw them away and buy linoleum! [/color]

Just a thought - could I possibly put down a new bed of adhesive on the floor and lay the tiles without removing the old adhesive?

[dewaltdisney]

It depends on the adhesive used but leaving the tile to soak in water softens it up so you can scrape it clean. The immersion needed could be over 24 hours.

DWD

[marc1106]

if it was a tubbed adhesive you could use a steam stripper to soften the addy then scrap it off wear some decent gloves though!

[trumpetmonkey]

I removed it from a few tiles for a small job using an angle grinder, but very laborious!

[suze]

Thanks for your replies - I tried soaking in water for 2 days - the adhesive is on thick and dry below the surface so I could be at it for days.
I spoke to the tile manufacturer who advise I should start again. :o(

[Beachcomber]

Best thing I've found to use is a sanding disc on a drill.
Start off with some nice rough 80 grit discs then use finer grades as you get close to the tile back.

Very messy and be careful as you don't want to catch the edge of the tile or send it spinning off across the room!

[prem]

if the adhesive is well stuck down and hard i would self level over it and retile.

[big-all]

definatly soak it can take weeks but works every time lol



well nearly