ufh tile removal

[jindru]

hi i ve been asked to replace a large porcelain tile damaged in a kitchen floor. ive done this before using my fein and its allways been successful.this floor however has underfloor heating .should i remove the tile as normal ie. cut grout and shatter or is there any complication due to the heating i dont know if there is screed for the elec heating or not thanks for any input jindru.

[Bri]

Be very careful how deep you cut into the grout so you don't cut the heating cable and I'd score across the tile in several directions then try to remove it in small pieces, rather than smash it out. Try to find out if the UFH had SLC poured on it, that would make it easier if it has.

[Dan]

Hi.

I'd say if you take A LOT of care, and somehow stop your Fein going deeper than the tile (there will be some adhesive on the cable if not SLC too, but if it's JUST adhesive you could cut the cable in the grout joint with your fein) then it may be achievable.

It can be done but it's a tricky one to be honest. You'll be able to still break the tile to a degree but even that if you're too hard on it could cause a sharp tile edge to touch any cable that's sitting right behind the tile. So I'd not whack it like normal.

If any cable does get damaged it can be repaired; however you'd need to pull even more tiles up.

Might be worth asking the customer if they'd rather keep the damaged tile and the heating, or replace the tile and have a heavy risk of ending up with no UFH. And give them the option.

[Stewart]

As above. If it's had a slc and/or a decoupler it will make it easier and safer.

[Mike]

be very careful as it's only an hours work in means of payment and could cost thousands if the cable gets damaged

[Dave]

If the cable does get damaged then it can be repaired.. the UFH warranty will be void but it is repairable no probs..


Try to break the tile into small bits and then the worst bit will be cleaning the area out ready for the new tile.. but it can be done..

[jindru]

thanks to all you have confirmed my own concerns. ill leave the decision to the customer .as its allmost impossible to guarantee this kind of job

[GaryS]

i think id use a manual grout scraper to clear out the grout and a wall scraper to finish clearing grout and then break it out the fein has way to high a chance of cutting the ufc cable

[karlm98]

if the customer is willing to risk it make sure you get a signature on the disclaimer, verbal is not good enough on this sort of repair!

[jindru]

customer has come back and decided to go ahead with tile replacement.since there is supplementary heating they are willing to take risk of ufh not surviving repair job starts with a shower regrout in may. i shall tell all after job

[kilty55]

nice one jindru

[Dave Ramsden]

Id depth gauge with my fien to 2/3rds thickness of the tile then score corner to corner with a grinder and tap with hammer. Seems to be the safest way of attacking a situation like this.

[jindru]

finally completed damaged tile removal.tiles lifted very easily,but it seems all is not well with original installation.the ufh was undamaged and is operating,but on removing broken tiles they appear to have been applied using dot n dab.around each removed tile is a void.also sections of the element are bare with no screed or adhesive.the original adhesive is all cracked and the bond tween tile very poor.i would be interested in any feedback to account for the problems ie.dnd a complete nono and was the ufh brought on too fast? i want to make sure i dont make the same mistake.thaks jindru.

[Dave]

Wrong fixing method used.. Should be solid bed.. that ufh will not perform to full potential with voids like that.

[Stewart]

If the cable is bare, with no addy or slc covering it, it will more than likely burn out and fail due to hot spots. Dot n dab will result in cracked grout and tiles. Crazed adhesive could be down to overheating at initial startup or cheap addy and I would have used a decoupler......

[jindru]

thanks to all for the input.the customer is resinged to living with tiles as is and keeping grout up to scratch.i suspect its only the grout thats keeping the tiles down.lifting tiles is not an option.cest la vie.