How to Remove and Reuse Shower Tile
- 1). Gain access to the outer edges of the tiled area. Remove tile edging strips or wooden door and window moldings that overlap the tiles. Tile edgings strips are often made from plastic and may be nailed, glued or pushed into wet grout to hold them in position. Pry off the edging strip, using a lever such as a screwdriver.
- 2). Remove the grout between the tiles, using a grout rake to rub along the grout lines, slowly reducing them to powder. This is a slow process; grout is designed to resist abrasion. Further, if you push too hard, you can scratch the surrounding tiles.
- 3). Rest a wide-blade chisel or stiff scraper/putty knife against the adhesive line under a corner tile. Corner tiles are the best to start with because only two sides are adjacent to other tiles. Set the chisel at roughly 45 degrees, the blade up tight against the joint between the tile and the backing material.
- 4). Start at the edge of a tile and gently tap the chisel so it moves under the tile. Watch and listen as you force the chisel into the joint between the back of the tile and the wall. A hollow sound indicates the tile is loose and ready to come off the wall. Continue tapping the chisel and look for signs of movement. If the tile doesn't move, reposition the chisel against a different edge of the tile and try again. Be ready to catch the tile as it pops free.
- 5). Remove old adhesive from the back of salvaged tiles. Scraping, grinding with an angle grinder or soaking in water for several days will usually remove adhesive. Wash each tile in warm water and allow to dry. Stack in a safe place for reuse.
Source...