Sticking down Victorian Floor tiles

[Tim Brennan]

We have Victorian tiles on the floor of our hallway and about a quarter of these are starting to come loose. See photo below.

Unlike modern tiling, these tiles were not stuck down with tile adhesive - the sort that can be easily removed. It looks like they were stuck down with lime mortar or something. It is really difficult to remove without using a hammer and bolster and then it starts to disturb the surrounding tiles which are securely in place.

I have thought about sticking them down with ordinary tile adhesive, but to avoid making them too proud, it would have to be a wafer thin layer - say 1mm thick- and that is a bit of a concern in the long term. I need the tiles to stay stuck down for many years.

A friend has suggested using a heavy duty silicone instead.

I’m just wondering if anyone has any experience with this sort of problem. Thanks.

 

[sospan]

Hi,

The best way to remove the excess from the back of the tile is with a multi tool. if you don't have them you can get them quite cheap from Lidls/Aldi.  Just make up a pad out of an old towel/ carpet and put the tile face down and cut through horizontally on the back.

You can use the same tool to rake out the residual mortar left on the floor.

Don't use silicon - it won't support the tile properly and will eventually crack. If you go to one of the Tile chains e.g Tops Tiles (Not B&Q!) they will sort you out a reputable tile adhesive like Mapei or similar

They will also give you advice on how to clean and then seal them - be careful with acid washes some encaustic tiles can be porous and will be affected by the acid

All the best in your renovation

 

[Rob-GB]

It is most likely a lime and silver sand mix rather like the lime plaster I have just used to plaster a whole house. Dries very hard over time.
I'd use a lime mix to reset the tiles as it will stick to the substrate with no issues, mix lime putty to silver sand 2:1 for a runny mix or equal parts for a stiffer mix. Avoid walking on the freshly laid tiles for a few days to let it set. Lime takes it's time to cure.

Rob.