I had a tile floor put in my medium size kitchen in 1998. My son noticed some of the tiles (12x12) were loose. Question. Can I reuse this tile or wouldn't it be worth the cost after cleaning the tile? I suppose I have to take all the grout out and replace. What is the life of a floor like this? The tiles themselves are fine, no cracks, etc. I think it's ceramic tile and was laid by a professional.

Cleaning the old thin-set mortar from the back isn't all that difficult,just take care not to damage the tile itself.

Cleaning the floor and adjacent grout out and applying new thin-set,then after it sets up,re-grouting,this is the normal process.

NOTE: You should look at the reason this occurred in the first place,has the subfloor buckled for some reason?(it has been 9 years since it was laid)

Is this a high traffic spot,or in front of the sink?maybe a joint in the subfloor and the fasteners have loosened?

Let us know,

KBC