Replies

1. 
   Guest_ | Dec 15, 1999 11:22pm | #1

   *
   I salvaged out some old (1870) tiles that had been set in what turned out to be a wet plaster around a fireplace. We soaked and scraped the backside and wala, it came off. Maybe you could be so lucky. This residue was white. I am assuming yours is grey? Check our http://www.oldhousejournal.com

1. 
   Guest_ | Dec 16, 1999 08:16am | #2

   *Try using a Fein detail sander with a tile/grout blade. use it to grind off the mortar. The action is not so aggressive that it would break any tiles.

1. 
   Guest_ | Dec 17, 1999 08:46am | #3

   *A belt sander, turned upside down on a table and set to run continuously will also work. Hold your tile carefully (don't burn your fingers on the moving belt)against the flat plate. Don't press down too hard or the machine will throw your tile across the room.

1. 
   Guest_ | Dec 17, 1999 08:57am | #4

   *Another option: Don't clean it off. A good tilesetter can reset the tiles without having to clean them off.

1. 
   Guest_ | Jan 05, 2000 06:57am | #6

   *Use a dry diamond blade in a tile cutting saw and carefully cut it all away with the blade set shallowly - my wife did it to six of our 1886 fireplaces.

2. 
   Lonne | Jan 05, 2000 06:57am | #5

   *
   I am the owner of an old house that is in the on-going process of
   restoration. I was the fortunate recipient of a basement & garage full of
   architectural salvage. I am trying to reinstall the tile around the firebox
   of the fireplaces. It is a decorative tile, white inside, about 6" square &
   1/2 inch thick at the edges with a raised design. How do you remove the
   mortar residue on the back without damaging the tile? I have just enough
   tile to do the project & can't afford to break any of them. I sure would
   appreiate a response, was unable to find any information about this topic on
   your web site.

   Thank you,

   Lonne