Removing cement from lifted porcelain tiles

Ellabella2012

Hi my new 20 cm sq porcelain tiles have recently been taken up from a concrete base outside. (Badly laid by builder). How can I get the cement and adhesive off of the tiles please. 

grumpy_codger

If it's only the tiles, why so many photos and so few words? What's the plan for the base?

IMO, if adhesion is good, removing adhesive from tiles is a very hard job. Unless you DIY it will be cheaper to buy new tiles. The only safe way I know is grinding it out with an angle grinder.

However, your photos seem to show that the adhesive mostly remains on the base, i.e. most tiles are clean and adhesion to the tiles seems to be poor.

Bigphil1474

Does look like most of the adhesive is still on the ground. If there are lumps stuck on the tiles, you could try using an old chisel and a small hammer to chip off (no point wasting a new chisel). You can also try washing off any thin coatings. It's a slow process IME. 

stuart45

Why did you take up all the tiles? Were they all loose?

rustybloke425

Honestly I'm impressed how they all seem to have come up intact, that was some terrible work laying them! I'd try getting the adhesive off with a wire wheel.