What is the best method for removing dried-out adhesive and reattaching fallen tiles under cabinets in a recently purchased townhouse?
Asked by Ilse Rocha 
4 months ago
Last Updated: July 26, 2024
Hey, so I just bought a townhouse and I noticed the tiles under the cabinets have fallen off. Do you know the best way to get rid of that stubborn dried-out adhesive and reattach them? Any tips would be super helpful, thanks!
You need to remove the mastic completely and reapply it on the entire tile, not just the center. Start by providing good support for the tile and gently tapping on it until it begins to come off. It’s tricky to do without breaking the tile, especially if you can’t find a matching replacement. Best of luck!
The tiles fell off probably because the person who installed them didn’t do a good job. Use a side grinder with a diamond blade to remove the excess thinset and avoid reinstalling them the same way.
Consider replacing all the tiles with white painted wood instead.
There are different kick plate options available, such as bendable plastic, PVC, or wood. It might be easier than trying to fix tiles that aren’t even visible. I’ve never seen tiles used for kick plates before. Maybe that’s why they’re not sticking – could it be because of the lack of a proper backer board? Do you happen to have spare tiles somewhere? You could try finding a similar tile to cut and replace in case this issue repeats.
Use a 4 inch grinder to remove thin-set residue…