Removing Porcelain Tile on Top of Electric Underfloor Heating Advice and information on tiling and fixing tiles to a variety of surfaces

[christatedavies]

Hi there.

I fitted electric underfloor heating in my bathroom. Its just on primed plywood, taped down and then flexible adhesive on top.

I've not actually grouted them in yet (its an on-going project)

Anyway, my better half noticed that one of the tiles has dropped for some reason. And being a perfectionist (within reason) I would like to fix this.

I'm debating pulling this tile up and relaying it. Problem is, its in the middle of the electric mat and I'm worried that pulling up the tile will "rip" or break the electric cable.

Am I worrying over nothing? The tile is 300x600 so even if it does break it, I could replace/fix the broken wires (at a fairly reasonable cost) couldn't I?

Thanks for any confirmations or advice.

/Chris

[KitchenGuy]

Sorry to say it but I think you may struggle not to damage the underfloor heating. I have never heard of it being done successfully with the mesh type. I managed it once but the heating element was the thick wire and not the mesh type, even so I damaged one wire and had to repair it. I would say your best bet is to learn to live with the tiles or budget for new underfloor heating.

[collectors]

Ditto with Kitcheguy. If you do go for it, i would try and break the tile into small bits & go for the areas that sound hollow when tapping on the face of the tile.
Once you have got a bit of tile up, try getting somthing under the tile to stop you hammering down on the cable.