Any Tilers / Plumbers out there

**Ferret** · 24th February 2010, 06:33 PM

The tap over my bath is completely knacked, It wont turn off and I don't mean it drips continuously, it just wont turn off. The unit was fine one minute, the next minute it failed to turn off.

It is a Dorf 'flickmaster' tap (ie uses a ceramic cartridge thing, not a simple washer). Dorf tell me they don't carry spares for that model any more (thanks Dorf) and so the entire unit will have to be replaced. The problem is to replace the unit the surrounding tiles have to be broken off the wall to get access and you guessed it, the tiles can't be replaced either, at least with matching tiles. So I'll be stuck with 2~4 odd looking tiles in the wall unless I redo the entire wall.

I have had a plumber around to look, his basic response was "you should never use those kinds of taps, the manufactures never use the same type of cartridge from one model to the next. I'll be back with the jack hammer"

Before I let him demolish the place and have to re tile an entire wall to make it look right does anybody have any bright ideas.

Are there a ways of removing tiles without destroying them? Are there ways of matching up tiles when you don't even have a spare to take around to tile shops?

Photo attached to stimulate your brain cells

**V8Ian** · 24th February 2010, 06:40 PM

I've seen a mob advertising that they will match bricks, roof tiles and pavers. Sorry I didn't take note of their name, but Google could be your friend.

**gaz** · 24th February 2010, 06:50 PM

Before you race out and replace mixer...sounds like there is something caught and stopping the mechanism from closing, which does happen to flick mixers. you would be better off pulling mixer apart (top section ) and checking, probably find a small bit of grit!!. Been tiling for thirty years and it is nearly impossible to save tiles that have adhered to the wall properly. You could mark out a diamond pattern with a water based pen and carefully trace over with a diamond blade, remove that section and put a contrasting tile.

**Pavo** · 24th February 2010, 07:33 PM

I assume you can't get access from behind? Unless I missed it in your post, I didn't see you mention if the wall is brick or timber/villaboard. Or indeed if you are in a flat/unit and there is a neighbour on the other side.

I'm sure the plumber wouldn't smash out tiles if he could easily get access from behind but I thought I'd post this just in case.

Pete

**taff** · 24th February 2010, 07:35 PM

there is a "tile library" in perth that stocks out of date tile's but obviously charges for the sevice - usually around $7 a tile - they will more than likely be able to match your existing, sorry but i don't have the number.

**isuzurover** · 24th February 2010, 07:49 PM

Originally Posted by taff

there is a "tile library" in perth that stocks out of date tile's but obviously charges for the sevice - usually around $7 a tile - they will more than likely be able to match your existing, sorry but i don't have the number.

This the place?

Tile Library
Unit 4/ 25 Colllingwood St
Osborne Park WA 6017
(08) 9242 8500

**agrojnr** · 24th February 2010, 07:59 PM

You could paint them

::: White Knight Paints

Adam

**Blknight.aus** · 24th February 2010, 07:59 PM

come at it from the back

**aka_db** · 24th February 2010, 08:09 PM

Hi BK...

I have had to deal with this situation myself. Have been able to saw out the specific tiles and the fibro behind them with a hack saw blade through the grout joint and starting with a few strategic drill holes. Now I might try using a Dremel or something more efficient but didn't have anything then.

If you could get the whole section out you can put in a study solution without too much trouble and re-use the tiles. You should be able to carefully remove the fibro from the back of the tiles without too much effort once they are out and off the wall where you have room to work.

Not a great solution, but could be cost effective.

Cheers, db.

**Ferret** · 24th February 2010, 08:18 PM

Originally Posted by Pavo

I assume you can't get access from behind? Unless I missed it in your post, I didn't see you mention if the wall is brick or timber/villaboard. Or indeed if you are in a flat/unit and there is a neighbour on the other side.

I'm sure the plumber wouldn't smash out tiles if he could easily get access from behind but I thought I'd post this just in case.

Pete

It is a brick wall and because of that my jack hammer crazed plumber seems to think I will more than likely loose the tiles anyway.

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Any Tilers / Plumbers out there

One option is to cut out the tiles and fibro behind in one go..

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