Tile Removal - Nightmare Job

[jaydebruyne]

Hi guys n girls,

It's been a while since I posted on here. I'm a plumber by trade (1 years experience) and also gas safe (just passed) but I want to get to grips with basic tiling.

Anyway, I have a job where the basin tap is concealed behind some tiles, they've tiled onto ply. I need to remove the tiles, preferably in one piece, to be able to change the tap.

I was wondering if I could get some expert advice from you lot as to the best course of action. I was thinking I could cut out the grout and then cut through the ply with a multitool, slip the 2 tiles out still on the ply and change the tap. But I went to look at the tiling tonight and I don't think it's feasible.

Here are some photos:

The wall tiles have been fitted before the tiles the basin sits on.

Any help would be grand.

Thanks so much.

 

[Bill]

Why do you need to take the tiles off to change the taps?

 

[jaydebruyne]

Why do you need to take the tiles off to change the taps?

Because the valve is behind the tiles and the cartridges are seized onto the valve and they're leaking...

 

[Bill]

How do you know this?...just asking.

 

[Dave]

Thats granite and aint coming off easily..

Is the wall an external one ?

 

[jaydebruyne]

How do you know this?...just asking.

How do I know the valve is behind the tiles? Because concealed taps have the valve fitted behind the surface, and because I took off the heads and cover plates and physically saw the valve. I also tried removing the cartridges to replace them but both are seized onto the tap.

 

[jaydebruyne]

Thats granite and aint coming off easily..

Is the wall an external one ?

No it's internal I believe, and is a stud wall I think.

 

[Dave]

No it's internal I believe, and is a stud wall I think.

Go in from the other side of the wall.

 

[jaydebruyne]

Go in from the other side of the wall.

I thought about that. My next question then is this? If the tap is on a stud, am I to cut off that section of stud and screw in a new piece once the tap has been fitted to it? Sorry for the ignorance but I've never replaced a tap from behind (wrong forum I know, but since you brought up the subject )

 

[Dave]

That is possible yes... Just i think the disturbance might be less .. Cut a small inspection hole and investigate..

 

[Bill]

How do I know the valve is behind the tiles? Because concealed taps have the valve fitted behind the surface, and because I took off the heads and cover plates and physically saw the valve. I also tried removing the cartridges to replace them but both are seized onto the tap.

Have you tried using the cartridge removal tool, just asking again.

 

[jaydebruyne]

Have you tried using the cartridge removal tool, just asking again.

cartridge removal tool. Never heard of it! It's just a normal hexagonal nut that you put either adjustables, box spanner etc on and turn it. I'm not sure if you're winding me up???? lol

 

[jaydebruyne]

That is possible yes... Just i think the disturbance might be less .. Cut a small inspection hole and investigate..

I think that might be a plan. I have an inspection camera I can put through the hole and have a butchers and if it's a no go then I can just plaster the hole and wash my hands with it, only not with the leaking basin tap

 

[Bill]

cartridge removal tool. Never heard of it! It's just a normal hexagonal nut that you put either adjustables, box spanner etc on and turn it. I'm not sure if you're winding me up???? lol

Experience is everything my friend.............. wind up?....no...........do some research. Over and out.

 

[Lithofin BOB]

I may be barking up the wrong tree here, excuse me if am - stone scrubber not even a tiler
Are the cartridges similar to a shower double valve- I had leaking cartridges which were seized when moved in my house, mate plumber said he would remove whole valve from back.

Salts had formed which may have led to this, I dabbed combinations of a light dilute acid on a cotton bud and then some wd40 on to cartridge. hour later they shifted.
This may be completely wrong for the tap.

 

[jaydebruyne]

I

I may be barking up the wrong tree here, excuse me if am - stone scrubber not even a tiler
Are the cartridges similar to a shower double valve- I had leaking cartridges which were seized when moved in my house, mate plumber said he would remove whole valve from back.

Salts had formed which may have led to this, I dabbed combinations of a light dilute acid on a cotton bud and then some wd40 on to cartridge. hour later they shifted.
This may be completely wrong for the tap.

I sprayed a load of penetrating oil on them while I was there which usually does the trick in 5 minutes, but they just wouldn't shift. The cartridges are pretty much the same as any kitchen or basin tap quarter turn (ceramic disc) cartridge.

Believe me, no one wante those cartridges out more than me haha

 

[On one]

I can see nothing but a world of pain if you tried to remove the tiles.......shelf to remove,mirror to remove,the chance of causing damage to neighbouring tiles,which are then locked in behind the LHS tiles,the risk of damaging the basin.........the list goes on......

 

[jaydebruyne]

I can see nothing but a world of pain if you tried to remove the tiles.......shelf to remove,mirror to remove,the chance of causing damage to neighbouring tiles,which are then locked in behind the LHS tiles,the risk of damaging the basin.........the list goes on......

Agreed. However I would have removed the basin beforehand. I'm going in from behind, god willing lol

 

[White Room]

Agreed. However I would have removed the basin beforehand. I'm going in from behind, god willing lol

Good luck mate....

 

[jaydebruyne]

Good luck mate....

Something tells me I'm gonna need it

 

[jaydebruyne]

So, I'm going to do the tap another time, I've got a couple other things to do at the property. One of them being re-grouting the shower area as a lot of it has cracked. I know this must be a lame question but I've never done it so I'd like to get some expert advice.

What's the best way to re-grout?

Basic to you pros but I'm still in tiling nappies!

 

[Ian]

So, I'm going to do the tap another time, I've got a couple other things to do at the property. One of them being re-grouting the shower area as a lot of it has cracked. I know this must be a lame question but I've never done it so I'd like to get some expert advice.

What's the best way to re-grout?

Basic to you pros but I'm still in tiling nappies!

A multi tool is by far the easiest way of doing it, I've had to replace 5 tiles on a floor today and used my Fein to cut the grout out before removing the tiles, I was still bored to death but, at least it was easy

 

[On one]

Grout doesn't crack without a reason. Something else going on there!

 

[jaydebruyne]

A multi tool is by far the easiest way of doing it, I've had to replace 5 tiles on a floor today and used my Fein to cut the grout out before removing the tiles, I was still bored to death but, at least it was easy

Agreed. I use my multi tool when I have to cut out tiles to get to water parts. But the actual re-grouting.. Sad to admit it but, how do I do it??

 

[jaydebruyne]

Grout doesn't crack without a reason. Something else going on there!

Oh really? Even if it isn't flexible grout and in a shower area?

 

[On one]

For it to crack,it needs movement of some kind.
More info or pics might help

 

[Ian]

Grout doesn't crack without a reason. Something else going on there!

Agreed. I use my multi tool when I have to cut out tiles to get to water parts. But the actual re-grouting.. Sad to admit it but, how do I do it??

you've lost me now, how do you regrout? Cut the old stuff out (with a multi tool) then put some new grout in. As wrighty has pointed out, if the grout is cracking out, there's a fair old chance that the tiles being loose is the reason.

 

[jaydebruyne]

For it to crack,it needs movement of some kind.
More info or pics might help

I don't have pics of the cracked grout but the tiles are the same ones in the pics posted at the beginning of this thread.

 

[jaydebruyne]

you've lost me now, how do you regrout? Cut the old stuff out (with a multi tool) then put some new grout in. As wrighty has pointed out, if the grout is cracking out, there's a fair old chance that the tiles being loose is the reason.

It's been a long day, forgive me!

 

[jaydebruyne]

For it to crack,it needs movement of some kind.
More info or pics might help

What could cause movement in tiles? Age? Moisture?