Sympathetic tile removal?

[gib_goblin]

I'm about to start removing tiles from our old shower. They're standard white 6/6 tiles. Stuck on properly (not dot-dabbed!)

My concern is the wall; it's made of old 9" solid bricks with lime mortar that has all but turned to dust. The mortar is held in place by the surface plaster - which the tiles are fixed too. What is the most gentle or least destructive way of removing the tiles, so that the bricks don't get knocked loose?

[ashleywood.ash]

should be ok once you get the first tile off as then I would use a wide thin chizel and tap down the back of the tiles to get them off 1 by one.

if they really are stuck on tight the weakest point will be the grout imo. so chizel out a section of grout on the first tile (or use a grinder if you are scared of hitting with hammer) just go deep enough to get thin chizel a little behind the first tile and prize off then you are home free

thats the way i would go anyway unless anyone else knows better as I am hobby tiler its not my proff

[marc1106]

well i dont normally advocate this but you could tile over! providing the originals ARE STUCK FAST

[ashleywood.ash]

yeah thats what they do on changing rooms

[marc1106]

yeah thats what they do on changing rooms

if Gib gob knows the original tiles are well fixed and its gonna cause aMAJOR structual issue trying to remove them, then id say clean em up and go for an over tile, my only concern would be weight of tile!

[gib_goblin]

Thanks Ashley, your idea works. I used a trowel to get under the edges and that 'cuts' the adhesive enough to lift them. A little tapping with a ball hammer to crack the tiles and job done.

Marc, thats a lovely idea but for one flaw; the tile's only cover a section of the wall. I'll be tilling the whole wall...not sure how I'd explained a raised section in the middle.

[ashleywood.ash]

good stuff

[marc1106]

Thanks Ashley, your idea works. I used a trowel to get under the edges and that 'cuts' the adhesive enough to lift them. A little tapping with a ball hammer to crack the tiles and job done.

Marc, thats a lovely idea but for one flaw; the tile's only cover a section of the wall. I'll be tilling the whole wall...not sure how I'd explained a raised section in the middle.

well i couldnt see that from here! could i