Hi.

My front door step is covered with about 50 red quarry tiles and over the yesrs they have started to lift.

So to day I bit the bullet and took up the loose ones but before I knew it thye had all come up!
My question is how much of the adhesive that is on the concrete step and on the sides of the tiles do I have to clean off before sticking thme back down again?
Also what is the best method for getting stubborn adhesive off?
I would welcome any other advice/tips.
Thank you.
Norm.

You really need to clean the tiles up as much as possible. Is it adhesive or sand and cement on the backs ?
Either way i found the easiest way is to use a belt sander with a very coarse grit belt.
Also if using this method i woud create a frame on a piece of plywood so to drop the tile in , upside down, adhesive side up and then it will stop the tile shooting off when you use the belt sander.
Failing that method you could us an angle grinder but this is more dangerous and slower.
Good luck

you cold also try using a hammer and 1 1/2 inch cold steel chisel for the back of the tiles,easier to use than a bolster and less likely to break the tiles

Try the methods above...but you do need to remove as much as you can , this will make relaying them a lot easier...

One of these atachments are good as well...

Cupped Diamond Wheel


Fits standard type 115 mm angle grinders (100 mm x 22.2mm bore.)


Ideal for grinding away bumps in uneven concrete floors and keying old tiles or terrazzo before tiling

click picture to enlarge

weight 275g


Price: £18.88 £21.71 Including VAT at 15%



Or even one of these is good...


Wire Brush for Angle Grinder


A very aggressive wire brush for use in an angle grinder - You will be amazed how fast this works!

Use to remove all kinds of unwanted paint, adhesive, rust and other surface contaminants etc

Very good for 'keying' smooth surfaces.

- Hardend & twisted 0.5 mm steel strands
- 75 mm Diameter
- Standard M14 thread (fits all standard angle grinders)
- Max speed 12,500 Rpm

We recommend you wear suitable eye protection overalls and gloves while using this tool



Price: £4.49 £5.16 Including VAT at 15%

Originally Posted by Dave

Try the methods above...but you do need to remove as much as you can , this will make relaying them a lot easier...

One of these atachments are good as well...

Cupped Diamond Wheel


Fits standard type 115 mm angle grinders (100 mm x 22.2mm bore.)


Ideal for grinding away bumps in uneven concrete floors and keying old tiles or terrazzo before tiling

click picture to enlarge

weight 275g


Price: £18.88 £21.71 Including VAT at 15%



Or even one of these is good...


Wire Brush for Angle Grinder


A very aggressive wire brush for use in an angle grinder - You will be amazed how fast this works!

Use to remove all kinds of unwanted paint, adhesive, rust and other surface contaminants etc

Very good for 'keying' smooth surfaces.

- Hardend & twisted 0.5 mm steel strands
- 75 mm Diameter
- Standard M14 thread (fits all standard angle grinders)
- Max speed 12,500 Rpm

We recommend you wear suitable eye protection overalls and gloves while using this tool



Price: £4.49 £5.16 Including VAT at 15%

Do I have to remove all the "adhesive" of the concrete as well? Or if that is firm and solid can I just "key it" and put new "adhesive" on the top?

Thanks.

Norm,

Try to remove what you can...it will give a flatter substrate to tile too......