Restoring Victorian / Edwardian Small B&W external tiles

[kernowsam]

Hi I have a lovely snmall black and white square front path that has been badly neglected. Most of it had been covered up with cement which i have now removed and I want to relay the tiles. Some come up easily (no cement or mortar attached) whilst others come up with about an inch of cement on the bottom.

Have been trying to chip it of to clean them with limited sucess (break 1 in 5 and the finish is still not great on those taht stay intact).

I have a couple of questions.

1 - does anyone know what material these tiles are made from.

2 - Have been told that soaking them in a dilute solution of Hydrochloric acid for 48 hours should do the job. does this sound liek a good idea!

can provide pics if required.

many thnaks for any help provided. really dont want to have to chisel 4 square meters of 2 inch tiles!

 

[jay]

hi cant remember material tiles made of sorry .wouldnt soak tiles in acid may bleach color.try 100mm grinder with a diamond wheel to grind backs of tiles (you need safty gogles ) very dusty you might need a piece of soft rubber to place tile on face down to grind back hope this helps:8:

 

[mikethetile]

:welcome:

i sympathise with you having done the same thing

20% breakage is a lot and must be disheartening

im not sure how long it will take to clean up with acid

i cleaned the backs off with a bricklayers scutch hammer, if you get the bulk off with the scutch , soaking in acid should clean the residue

pick a nice evening or 2 or 3 ,get yourself comfy with a nice cool drink and gently chip the beds off, you will be glad you cleaned them well when it comes to relaying them

also the less you break the less you will need to buy

 

[kernowsam]

Thnaks Mike and Jay.

Took your advice Mike and settled down with a cold one. Got a better chisel and now only breaking 1 in 20. Still slow progress (tesco bag full in 2 hours - have about 10 more bags to do!) but much more satisfying now I am not breaking them.

Think i will still need to get some sort of cleaner / chemical to get the remainder off. Or maybe just put the missus to work with some wire wool and the Cilit Bang!

Thnaks for the advice.