How can I take up quarry tiles without damaging them?

[JamesJames]

My kitchen floor is paved with old quarry tiles. For complex reasons related to to other works taking place in my house I need to take them up and re-lay them.

Does anyone know how to take them up without damaging them? I know it must be possible as there are loads of architectural salvage websites offering reclaimed quarry tiles for sale, but how did they get them up?

I realise it might be cheaper just to buy new rather than pay someone to take them up carefully but these tiles are old enough that they have a degree of antique value.

If they're anything like ours there was basically nothing but earth underneath them. We broke a couple in the middle of the room getting started, but once we got going they were easy to lift intact. You mileage may vary, of course!

Thank you - that's reassuring! I'll see what I can do.

I'd be interested in others' experiences of course.

make sure the joints between tiles are cleaned out as these will apply lateral pressure and as you force the tile out it could break.
Use a full width (or close to) chisel /flat spade and hand pressure to try and get under the edge of one and take it from there. If you make a complkete wakes of it there is always a salvage yard or Fired Earth.