Re-attaching Shower tiles

raddy59

We had some grout come away from the shower  tiles which I stated to remedy.
I noticed that there was a gap between the tiles and the wall - maybe about 5-7 mms, and water had been getting behind the tiles.
I managed to take the tiles off the wall and the damage to the wall wasn't bad, and I have the tiles re attach.
Because of the gap it isn't just a straightforward job, complicated by the fact that the tiles I removed had been attached to the wall with blobs of mortar - obviously because of the gap. The tiles have no other fixative apart from te "blobs".
The mortar is hard to remove - I think it will end up wrecking the tiles.

Should I use normal tile fixer spread thickly around the "blobs" with some grab adhesive on the "blobs"?

UnsureAboutthis

Hello. Looks like a cowboy fitted the tiles.

As you know, preparation is the key to a good finish.

I would do my best to remove the old plaster/glue so you are close to
an even surface. Then a good quilty tile glue, spread across
the entire area of the tiles. Use a good grout and ensure you follow the instructions on the
tile cement and grout.

Important to place protective materials base of bath/shower and other areas that may get damaged if your tools/etc fall out of your hand etc. Take time, especially close to the edges of the good tiles.

TBH, I get frustrated doing diy and once I have started I want to finish it same day, a mistake at times as when worn out, even a simple task can go arong. So get so good tile cement and grout that sets not just quickly but has good reviews. Then take time and extra care and I'm sure you will get a good finish and save yourself a lot of money.

stuart45

Have you got any photos of the issues?

twopenny

Used to be the correct way to fix tiles back in the day . It means if a tile cracks it's easy to remove by a sharp tap to the middle.
The water getting in there was due to poor or worn grouting.

I would have left it to dry in this hot weather having got some out with a paper towel. 
Then once dry regrout thoroughly.
Cover with tape and something just when showering.

Bigphil1474

As above, sounds like a bodge job, but don't bodge a bodge in your own house. If you just use adhesive around the blobs, they won't fix very well and it will probably need redoing in 6 months. You may end up relying on the grout to hold them in place.

Without seeing it, I guess I'd probably look at putting some board in to fill that gap, then fixing the tiles to the board, rather than leaving a gap. The tiles would need to be cleaned up. Try using a cheap chisel to chip it off with a small hammer, or even a flat head screwdriver. They shouldn't break unless you go crazy. If you can remove most of the blobs, that should give you enough to fix them properly. 

stuart45

twopenny said:

Used to be the correct way to fix tiles back in the day . It means if a tile cracks it's easy to remove by a sharp tap to the middle.
The water getting in there was due to poor or worn grouting.

I would have left it to dry in this hot weather having got some out with a paper towel. 
Then once dry regrout thoroughly.
Cover with tape and something just when showering.

Sand/cement mortar was the method, but it was supposed to be a full joint. 
When done properly you need a kango to get the tiles off. The correct method was to soak the tiles in water first, then let the surface dry. Then wet down the scratch coat, and butter the tile with a 3/1 sand cement mix. This is a tiling trowel designed for the job I've had since apprenticeship days.

The OP's best chance of cleaning the tiles of the mortar is rock hard is to soak them in brick acid first. Then when clean neutralise with sodium bicarbonate.
Soak the tiles when dry in clean water, then butter the backs with 3/1 sand/cement mix and push into the wall that's been damped down, or primed with an SBR/cement mix.

FreeBear

stuart45 said: Soak the tiles when dry in clean water, then butter the backs with 3/1 sand/cement mix and push into the wall that's been damped down, or primed with an SBR/cement mix.

Probably easier to get a small tub of ready mix adhesive/grout - Won't need much for just one tile.

https://www.screwfix.com/p/mapei-wall-waterproof-fix-grout-white-1-5kg/64982

stuart45

FreeBear said:

stuart45 said: Soak the tiles when dry in clean water, then butter the backs with 3/1 sand/cement mix and push into the wall that's been damped down, or primed with an SBR/cement mix.

Probably easier to get a small tub of ready mix adhesive/grout - Won't need much for just one tile.

https://www.screwfix.com/p/mapei-wall-waterproof-fix-grout-white-1-5kg/64982

I was under the impression that there were a number of tiles off the wall, rather than just one. It's quite unusual nowadays to find tiles with sand/cement as using adhesive is a lot easier, although with sand cement you can get a better finish on a rough wall.