How do I restore majolica tiles?

[GemB]

Hi, Really need some help as I'm utterly clueless here!

Just bought a 1920's house and found some very nice majolica fireplace tiles under the carpets but they aren't in the best condition.

One set is intact but has a lot of the adhesive still on the back, I read somewhere that soaking in really hot water for a couple of hours can help break down the adhesive to make it easier to remove, but this was just for ordinary ceramic tiles, so not sure if it'll work on these?

The second lot is a lot worse with many broken in several pieces, so any ideas on how to stick them back together again would be great!

I'd like to re-use them around a fireplace (on the wall bit rather than the floor), and I'm not too bothered if they look perfect or not! (probably not! )

(Will try and post some pics when I find my camera)

Thank you all for any help!

 

[DHTiling]

Hi and welcome...

Pics would be good..

 

[jasonbrien]

When you see well-maintained and properly cared for tiles, it doesn't even matter how inexpensive or exorbitant they may have been because when it comes to tiles, it's the care you put into them that really shows. In fact, I love the look of beautiful, clean tiles – the kind that always look like they've just been installed and freshly polished – no matter how long they've been there.