What’s happening, all? A friend has a vinyl floor in his kitchen and wants to put ceramic tile down. Is it necessary to remove the vinyl and underlayment or can the backerboard go down over the vinyl? I realize this will raise the floor level somewhat.
Question # 2: I replaced some damaged tile in another kitchen and the new grout doesn’t quite match. Homeowner says he sealed the original grout with clear sealer. Can I regrout over the sealed grout without any problems? Thanks, and don’t forget to vote!
Replies
What's happening, all? A friend has a vinyl floor in his kitchen and wants to put ceramic tile down. Is it necessary to remove the vinyl and underlayment or can the backerboard go down over the vinyl? I realize this will raise the floor level somewhat.
In a pure sense it's always better to strip a floor to the solid subfloor and go from there. However, if the underlayment is in good shape and there isn't any movement between it and the subfloor I'd not hesitate to put the backerboard over it, at least if it was the 1/2" stuff.
Question # 2: I replaced some damaged tile in another kitchen and the new grout doesn't quite match. Homeowner says he sealed the original grout with clear sealer. Can I regrout over the sealed grout without any problems? Thanks, and don't forget to vote!
Grout can be very hard to match and changes a bit with use. If you grout over sealed grout it won't stick very well and will have a very short service life.
If the exsisting color is darker you can try a rub of a darker grout over that which you've just done. An admix (moose milk) can change the grout color, as might the sealer.
Usually I'll mix the grout combination before hand to match any existing grout and adjust before grouting. I'll also warn the owner that a perfect match isn't possible.
Beer was created so carpenters wouldn't rule the world.
An other option is to remove all of the grout and regrout.
Yeah whatever-------<G>
I just threw away my grout saw, damn knuckle bustin piece of &*^%*&$*&^%$^%$When asked why is there four engines on a 747------ "cause we couldn't fit six" a Boeing engineer
1. Yes you can lay tile over the vinyl. If you are going to put down a layer of backerboard, it's a pirece of cake. If you want to lay the tile right on the vinyl, that could be a problem.
2. No, don't try to add a second layer of grout on top of existing grout. It won't stick. Unless you are talking about small hex or mosaic tiles, grout can be removed easily.
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
what if you are using an adhesive type thinset... will tile on top of vinyl be ok? I have to do this tomorrow... was thinking it should work...and skip on putting down the backerboard....
Thanks for all the info, guys. I figured I would have to remove the grout(question#2). Is a regular grout saw the best way. I thought about an angle grinder, but wondered how easy it would be to damage surrounding tiles. Seems like a circilar saw with a masonry blade might be easier to control. Any thoughts?
There is a bit available for the rotozip that is about 1/8" wide and carbide, and it removes grout well. I agree, a grinder would be asking for trouble. Same for a circ saw ... you would have too much blade in contact with the tile.
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
and skip on putting down the backerboard....
Yikes.
Beer was created so carpenters wouldn't rule the world.
Personally, the only place I would consider using mastic for ceramic tiles would be a kitchen backsplash. And even then, thinset is really easy to work with, so why bother with the mastic?
Read the instructions. The Ultraflex package says it can be used over vinyl. Does the mastic container say that? If not, don't even think about it.
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
not good.
Do you know the thickness of your subfloor and whether it (and the joists) meet the requirements for deflection for tile floors? Is there any rotten subfloor under the vinyl? Is there 1/4" luan under the vinyl?
It's better to strip the vinyl and work with a clean subfloor although some will tell you to go over the vinyl. Often it's not that difficult to strip it off the floor. If there is 1/4" luan underneath then strip it off too (it will actually be easier to rip up the luan with the vinyl stuck to it -- without peeling off the vinyl).
Get an opinion from the tile pros at http://www.johnbridge.com
Billy
P.S. Someone makes a grout saw blade that attaches to a Sawzall. There's always the Fein Multimaster... A grinder is too aggressive and you risk chipping the tile.
Billy