Loose Quarry Tiles On Hearth

[atalanta]

My open fire has a hearth made of earth-brown quarry tiles, but several of these have come a bit loose. They used to be stuck down - and grouted - with something black, onto what looks like a cement base. And I don't think the stuff was originally another colour and has just got blackened with age and dirt/coaldust/soot. Trouble is, I have no idea what the stuff was or how to re-stick the loose tiles. I'd actually quite like to replace them since they are so dull, but can't think of anything better.
Ideas, please ?

[Togo]

atalanta you will first of all need to tell us the size and thickness of the quarries. Are they 6 x 6, 8 x 8, or even 4 x 8, inches that is. Some are half or three quarter inch thick also, is this important to the surrounding 'finish'? They may have originally been laid on a coloured mortar if was an open fire or grate to disguise any future discolouring from coal or wood ash deposits. Mortar colourants are quite common. Personally I would keep the quarries and just carefully lift the remainder, clean them up, relay them, and perhaps seal them after they are back in pride of place.

[atalanta]

They are a scrap under 6" by 6", and five-eighths thick. The edge-tiles and corner-tiles are appropriately shaped/rounded. They are probably over 30 years old - the same age as the house.
So do I need a coloured mortar ?

[Togo]

They sound like 6 x 6 inch and 1/2 inch thick atalanta. The bullnose ones will be on the edges. It doesn't matter what colour the mortar is that they are laid on, that was probably so that the original tile layer could just make one 'mix' to secure and grout. If the majority of the quarry tiles are secure and in good order, and you are happy with them, Why not just do a bit of cosmetic work on the hearth. Secure the ones that are loose after cleaning off the adhesive from the back of them, re-lay them at the same level of the existing and let the compound or adhesive harden. If they are on a mortar bed now I would use the same. They have lasted 30 years after all. I would then carefully(without damaging the edges of the quarry tiles) remove the grout between the other tiles, and re-grout the lot in the same colour of grout. A light colour may not be very serviceable for a coal fire or wood burner but is perfectly good for a gas or electric fire. If you decide to take the lot away remember that any subsequent tiles may not be as thick as the quarry tiles and leave you with another puzzle to solve. When it is done you can get a clear varnish finish(after a good scrub up) for the old tiles.

[The Builder]

Good posts fro Togo, as ever............... but something simple to try first.....

Leave the bed in place and just apply NEAT PVA adhesive to the back of the loose tiles, and stick them back down.

[rosyposy]

I had those lovely rustic tiles on my hearth many years ago, I just polished them with shoe polish every so often, they looked gorgeous with a copper kettle standing on them -don't get rid of them, I wish I still had mine .:0(