Replies

1. 
   user-196900 | Dec 13, 2006 01:33am | #1

   Find a thin ,stiff flat screwdriver ,lay down something soft for the to land on and chip away,you will be surprised how many come off in one piece. 40 to 50% saved when you don't try to.

1. 
   Southbay | Dec 14, 2006 07:22am | #6

   Hey, everybody knows all screwdrivers come with the standard screwdriver warning to NEVER use as a prybar, scraper, chisel, punch, nail set, hammer, paint stirrer, icepick, steak flipper, robbery weapon, ... And I NEVER did. Nope, not ever. Not even once. Except with this one screwdriver I have. Well I guess it's a screwdriver. It is a grandfather screwdriver that came before the lawyers wrote the screwdriver rules. It has a shank that runs the entire length that flattens at the handle, where two wood (yes real grown as a tree wood) handle pieces are riveted. The shank then expands again at the end to protect the handles where one could hammer on it, gasp! And.. I think it was hammered on here, years ago, since the shaft is just a bit bent, but not by me. For I was born in an age of specialization, where screwdrivers turn screws, and prybars pry bars.How about taking the whole substrate the tiles are on and re-mounting it?

2. 
   Shep | Dec 13, 2006 04:37am | #2

   If they were put on with mortar 60+ years ago, and they're still tight, IMO you're not going to have much luck getting them off in 1 piece. I've done tile demo that required a demo hammer to break up the mortar base  and tile, not a good way to preserve tile. I've also had tiles practically falling off the mortar.

   try tapping on the tiles to determine how well they're stuck. If they sound hollow, it's a good chance you can get them off.

   If not, well, direct your customers to a good tile store.

3. 
   MSA1 | Dec 13, 2006 04:45am | #3

   Any chance you can get underneath the tile? is it on the wall or on the floor in front of the fireplace?

   If its on the floor maybe you could try hitting from below to loosen up the mortar.

   Is the HO planning to reuse this tile elsewhere? Why does he want it removed? 

1. 
   Isamemon | Dec 13, 2006 05:51am | #4

   thanks all

   I think these things are toast

   and the help here just helps me feel better about my answer to the home owner

   thnaks all

2. 
   Isamemon | Dec 14, 2006 01:44am | #5

   antiques, wanted to re-use