How To Remove Thinset From Ceramic Tiles

Well, we have good news and bad news on this one. The good is that it can be done. The bad, is that it will take a great deal of time and patience, and in the end may simply not be worth it, especially if you need to keep all the tiles for re-use, and some get broke in the process. The two adhesives for attaching ceramic tiles are organic based mastic, and the cement-based thinset. Mastic is not used where there will be a great deal of moisture, because it tends to absorb it over time, and loses its bond. It has been used successfully in shower stalls, but depending on the quality of the installation, may only last 3-6 years. On the other hand, thinset being a cement product, does not absorb water, and is longer lasting for use in areas that will have high levels of humidity and lots of water. Unfortunately, that also means there are few options for removing it. It will not break down when soaked, and there are no chemical removers for cement, as there are for adhesive. If you have managed to remove tiles intact, that were anchored with thinset, you are to be congratulated. This is a feat in itself. Tiles are simply a refined clay that has been baked for a certain amount of time, at a set temperature, which will determine its compressive strength. But it is not a flexible material, and has very little tensile strength, or flexibility. That virtually eliminates using a chisel or even a putty knife to try and chip or lever the thinset off the tile. Your only real option is to grind it down, as gently as possible, with an electric sander. Not only is it difficult to fix the tile in place so you aren't grinding off the back of it, but it is a delicate and time-consuming job. If the point is to repair a spot, or to re-use all the tile you have, chances are that you will come up short when some get broken. In that case, try using a complementary color or design, and create a pattern, border, or shape with the new tiles, that will supplement the old tiles you saved, so that you have enough to complete the job.