Salvaging floor tiles.

[Trixie2]

I need to replace seven damaged floor tiles. Unfortunately they have long since been discontinued. I have identified an area of the same tile which I can sacrifice for the repair. It means lifting these tiles intact! They are quality tiles, 31cm square x 8mm thick. They have been laid for approx 10 years on a bed of tile cement by a pro. tiler, so serated trowel, not dabs. I would need to have a high success rate as there are only nine tiles available.I know I'm asking a lot but I'm hoping someone could advise how best to succeed. "Tricks of the trade" or "personal experience" would be much appreciated.

[The Builder]

Oh no ............ bit of a long shot Trixie, but......... 8mm thick, if you try to prise one up, it will certainly break up.
Assuming the tiles are on a solid floor (concrete or sand & cement screed), use an angle grinder to cut vertically all around the area you want to take up. A 225mm grinder should give you a 50mm deep cut.
The idea is to take up the tiles complete with the bit of floor they are bedded on. The bit of flooring will ensure that the thin tiles stay intact.
Does that make sense?
Once they're up, you'll have some very thick tiles. Dig out where they have to go, and bed the lot in sand & cement.

[mrs_overall]

Ahhhh, my Friday night fix of Le Builder going all technical

[scotman]

Be honest Mrs O. It's all that talk of grinding and bedding that gets you going:-)

[AlBags]

In my opinion .. It won't work. The mortar AND tile will break.
Maybe 30-50% success rate.

[scotman]

On a serious note; I think this is a lost cause.
Can you not find tiles that contrast with the existing ones. I have used this to reasonable effect when I could not get matching items.

[The Builder]

Hi Mrs O ..............
Al and Scotters are more realistic than me :o(
That's why I said it was a long shot. Worth a try though.

[AlBags]

: ) Good Luck is in order then!

I said this as the floor appears to be professsionally laid. It will be stuck solid if it has been. A DIY effort on a damp floor or laid cheap adhesive might come up with a Focus scraper : )

[Trixie2]

Pretty much as I thought, no magic options.
Really appreciate the replies.
Many thanks to all!

[AlBags]

Thanks for the thanks : )

[moonraker558]

I am certain I have seen something on tv about a company (name unknown) that keeps a data base on nearly every tile there is and can match one from their sources. You could try with playing with different words to see if anything comes up.