Victorian Minton Tiles Grout Removal

[Gekko2670]

Hi all. Looking for some expert help now I have some time on my hands during lockdown. I took up the Victorian Minton tiles on my hallway a few years ago during a renovation as everything was uneven and needed relayed. I managed to recover around 80% of them which I now plan to use in another Victorian property. I have managed to clean them quite easily using vinegar, swarfega and cif.

However, removing the grout stuck on the sides is harder work (if not impossible on some). I have just been trying to scrape it off with old knives. There must be a better way? Your help would be greatly appreciated on any solutions as to what would take off the grout or enable me to remove it easier.

I have attached a few before and after pics of a few of the tiles I have managed to completely restore.

Thank you!
Gordon

 

[Perfect Tiling]

If the grout wont just chip off....I'd be inclined to get a cheap watercooled tile cutter and run the tile through it to cut the grout off. Real victorian tiles are usually the same material all the way through so theres no surface finish, print or glaze to damage and your'e not actually going to be cutting into the tile. I had a job a while back and had to lift some old tiles.....grout was stuck same as with yours so I ran them through my machine and they were ready to lay again in no time at all.....although I have a proper machine with a sliding table rather than a cheaper DIY model....good luck

 

[Gekko2670]

If the grout wont just chip off....I'd be inclined to get a cheap watercooled tile cutter and run the tile through it to cut the grout off. Real victorian tiles are usually the same material all the way through so theres no surface finish, print or glaze to damage and your'e not actually going to be cutting into the tile. I had a job a while back and had to lift some old tiles.....grout was stuck same as with yours so I ran them through my machine and they were ready to lay again in no time at all.....although I have a proper machine with a sliding table rather than a cheaper DIY model....good luck

Thanks very much for the reply. Yeah I think that’s going to be the only way. What I’m wondering is if that will work even on the small fidly triangle tiles. What machine are you using if you don’t mind me asking? I don’t mind getting an expensive one to get the job done right. Thanks vm. Gordon

 

[Albert]

I would use a grinder, just fit a vanity blade