Removing Dried Thinset From Ceramic Tile

Thin set mortar is a type of portland cement and therefore will be extremely hard and brittle when removed.

Removing dried thinset from ceramic tile. Scrub the tile surface and the grout with a soapy sponge making sure to remove any of the thin set that is not entirely hardened. Solvent and cleaning supplies will not remove the thinset from the tiles so you must grind. Remove a piece of tile from the solution. Most tilers attempt to remove the thinset as they work or the next day at the most.

After setting tiles thinset mortar must quickly be removed or it dries into a hard stubborn substance. Scrub the mortar with a scrub brush to remove the residue the acid has loosened. Use a chisel to scrape away the dried thin set carefully chipping it loose from the tile without scratching it or harming the tile itself. Wipe the tiles down with a dry rag.

Remove a section of the thinset using the hammer. Rinse the piece of tile with clean water and allow the piece to dry for. Thinset is used to install tile to concrete while adhesives and epoxies are used to install tile to wood subfloors. Dried thinset is tough to get off of the tops of tiles because it is so thin and the tile surface is often delicate.