How to remove tiles from a 70's fire place without breaking them?

Question

We have a 70's fire place, well actuallly we have two. Were about to take on knocking them out BUT have been advised to try to get the tiles off in one peice as they may be worth some money in the "retro" market.

I dont like it and want it moved but dont want to ruin them if we could sell the tiles from it on, its all angled and tiled lovely be a shame to break it all up. any ideas?

Answer 1

They are usually made in one piece for the wall and one for the hearth. Dig around the plaster and you should find a fixing to the wall. If it is a concrete structure (they usually are it may be on dabs back to the wall so you would need to dig far enoough into the wall to get some purchase. If you want to only save the tiles - they were often applied before being installed which measn they are well stuck. If you are not worried about saving a full set of tiles you may be able to save some of them at least.

Answer 2

The tiles may be attached to wood panels, if so, remove the panels with the tiles still attached.

If the tiles are grouted on it may be very difficult to remove them without damage.

Answer 3

they will be worth something, but not serious money . for the time it would take(and you will break some anyway)  just smash em !!

Answer 4

Your chances of removing many tiles that have been in place for 30 years are very slim.  Thye complete fireplace may be worth advertising on ebay, people do buy things like this for restoring properties to original spec. (in fact, in my experience, there is very little you cannot sell on ebay, people buy the weirdest things).

Answer 5

if they were worth something would the workmen not just take the whole fireplace out for you and do it themselves or just sell it in one piece?

taking tiles off anything is very difficult ..you will need a handheld grinder to cut out the grout..then carefully chisel them off...you could try soaking behind them to see if the old adhesive softens but its going to be very difficult?

Answer 6

As above but also check for asbestos in any of the surrounding materials if any old gas fires, floor bases etc

Answer 7

I agree with valuing them before wasting a lot of effort.

If they are worth something high enough to do the job, you take out the whole fireplace as one lump. There's no way you will separate tiles from firebricks without damaging them, they are physically welded on with the heat from the fire, (the cement is rock solid).

Answer 8

chizel around the whole fireplace wall first some older one's have 2 -4 fixing bracket's which make taking them off a h**l of a lot easier if you find the old brackets (they are usually at the side behind the plaster no more than 1" away from the fire place

Answer 9

Unless this thing is some kind of work of art then I think the other person who answered is correct.It just will not be worth the time and effort it will take to save them.Bc you are talking about a MAJOR project to try and save them