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ceramic tile fell off wall

remodel_1 | Posted in Construction Techniques on May 6, 2004 12:45pm

While nailing down plywood decking in the attic of my 40 year old house, the vibration from hammering caused about 70 tiles to fall off the shower wall in one of the bathrooms. The tile was originally installed directly over drywall on the upper portion of the wall and over cement and lath on the bottom foot of the wall. I’ve replaced the drywall and crumbling cement and lath with Wonderboard. The tile itself wasn’t damaged and could be reinstalled if I could just figure out how to remove all of the thinset and cement off the back of the tiles. On some of the tiles it’s an inch thick.

It seems like I should be able to saw or grind this debris off the back of the tiles but I haven’t figured out how yet. Can anyone offer any suggestions?

There are over 150 square feet of this tile on the walls, floor and counter tops of the bathroom so removing the remaining tile and starting over with new tile is not a very desirable option.

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Replies

  1. andybuildz | May 06, 2004 01:33am | #1

    A grinder and a kid at ten bucks an hour.

    Be a laborer

                     a

    My life is my passion!

    http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM

  2. User avater
    JeffBuck | May 06, 2004 02:01am | #2

    I've had to do such work before ...

    on a very limited basis .... just a handfull of tiles ....

    and it was still horrible.

    Tyr to avoid this as much as possible ...

    or ....

    take Andy's advice.

    Jeff

    Buck Construction, llc   Pittsburgh,PA

         Artistry in Carpentry                

  3. Scooter1 | May 06, 2004 03:03am | #3

    WJ:

    This shower is c r a p. If the tile was installed over drywall inside the shower below the head, and this has been that way for 40 years, it is likely that there has been leakage and damage.

    I would not put 10 cents worth of labor into this shower. Its time for a new proper shower tiled over backer board and properly sealed.

    But if you want to scrape off and re-thinset and grout what 70 tiles, then have at it. I would soak the tiles in water and use a putty knife and wire brush and if necessary a grinder to remove the old thinset. What you can't remove shouldn't be too big an issue.

    Regards,

    Boris

    "Sir, I may be drunk, but you're crazy, and I'll be sober tomorrow" -- WC Fields, "Its a Gift" 1934

  4. WayneL5 | May 06, 2004 03:35am | #4

    Basic bathroom tile is fairly cheap.  You wouldn't have to replace the whole room, just freshen it up by retiling the shower.  I would advise against trying to save old tile and reinstall it over a substandard substrate in a wet location.

    1. FastEddie1 | May 06, 2004 04:40am | #5

      Maybe a belt sander with coarse grit, like 50 ... mount the sander upside down on a workmate or similar.  It will be a laborious project, but it can be done.

      And next time use a rubber hammer to keep the vibrations down...

      Whenever you are asked if you can do a job, tell'em "Certainly, I can!"  Then get busy and find out how to do it.  T. Roosevelt

  5. DanH | May 06, 2004 05:27am | #6

    I'm with Boris -- cheap tile is cheap. Don't waste time trying to clean off the current stuff -- just tear out more until you have a uniform area, then install new tile. Or tear out the whole shower and redo it properly.

  6. User avater
    AaronRosenthal | May 06, 2004 08:42am | #7

    I'm involved in retiling bath/shower surrounds in a 15 year old apartment building. The backing is cement board, but the original installers depended on adhesive and short nails to hold the Durock to the substrate (cement blocks).

    The apartment manager wants me to save a few tiles by taking them off gently, where they are loose, for his little repair jobs in other apartments.

    My response? I tear off everything, re-backerboard the stall and get the tiler working.

    If your time is that lowly valued, with respect, clean the tiles.

    But.....If your 40 year old house has tiles falling off, treat your family to a good tile job and be a hero.

    Quality repairs for your home.

    Aaron the Handyman
    Vancouver, Canada

  7. User avater
    SteveInCleveland | May 06, 2004 02:50pm | #8

    70 tiles?  70 tiles?  Wax on, wax off, then karate chop.

    - The Karate Kid

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