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Removing adhesive from the back of ceramic tile?

Melensdad

Melensdad

Jerk in a Hawaiian Shirt & SNOWCAT Moderator
Staff member
I've got a couple tiles that came loose so I cut the grout out and lifted the tiles. They still have the adhesive on the back of the tiles. The tiles are in perfect condition, except they have a coating of adhesive on the back.

Is there some way to remove the adhesive without cracking the tiles? FWIW, these are 12"x12" floor tiles.
 
Melensdad said:
I've got a couple tiles that came loose so I cut the grout out and lifted the tiles. They still have the adhesive on the back of the tiles. The tiles are in perfect condition, except they have a coating of adhesive on the back.

Is there some way to remove the adhesive without cracking the tiles? FWIW, these are 12"x12" floor tiles.
Click to expand...

Mastik, or thinset?
 
No easy way. I've used a scraper, grinder, Dremmel tool, wire brush in an electric drill, all the brute force and ignorance solutions. I think the secret is not to get in too much of a rush, keep the tile flat on a hard surface and supported while you work on it and not to get too violent.

Sorry not to be of more help but, as I said, I don't think that there is an easy solution.
 
A good chisel and wire wheel like Frank said. Damn stuff is made to stick and it does for a long time.
 
EastTexFrank said:
No easy way. I've used a scraper, grinder, Dremmel tool, wire brush in an electric drill, all the brute force and ignorance solutions. I think the secret is not to get in too much of a rush, keep the tile flat on a hard surface and supported while you work on it and not to get too violent.

Sorry not to be of more help but, as I said, I don't think that there is an easy solution.
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I come across this all the time in my contracting business, and this is the best advice. This is why when I do a tile job (floor, wall or backsplash) I ALWAYS leave extra tiles for the customer for emergencies like this. In lieu of the extra tiles patience will pay off in the end.
 
Since its just a few tiles You might try an aeresol Carbcleaner to break down the adhesive & make it easier to remove . Its worked for me before but I,m unsure of what type of adhesive it was & of coarse do it outside or in the shop . It works on liquid nails as well .
 
I'll try the Carbcleaner before I try the brute force.

I have extra pieces, and I set those last evening, will grout this evening so it will all be back together. But I just figured I'd try to save the pieces that I took out . . . just in case this has to be done again in another 10 or 15 years :neutral:
 
Melensdad said:
But I just figured I'd try to save the pieces that I took out . . . just in case this has to be done again in another 10 or 15 years :neutral:
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In 10 or 15 years, they'll have a solvent to do just this. Why do today what you can put off until tomorrow?
 
What are the tiles made from? As long as they aren't marble you might be able to soak them in muriatic acid to dissolve the lime in the mortar.

Try it first on one so you don't ruin them all.
 
Mortar is usually whitish and has no residual stickiness. If it is sticky or tacky to the touch, it is probably adhesive. Go to a large hardware store and tell them you need an adhesive remover. Or you can try acetone, but ventilate well.
 
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