I have a question for you experienced tile-setters out there. I was recently asked to lay tile on a basement floor. It is a concrete slab that was tiled when the house was built around 1950. There are a few tiles missing where the old furnace was and a couple of others in other places. The remainder of tile is sound, level, and secure. The homeowner wants to tile over the old tile if possible to save a lot of time and money. There are no cracks and no uneven areas. Has anyone had any experience with this and what would be the pros and cons? I woulld really appreciate some sound advice. Thanks!
Duey
Replies
I did a job of tile over tile with much protest on my part.
In the end, two tiles didn't stick. Sure glad I was soooo vocal about my concerns so the home owner didn't fuss too much.
Make darn sure the old tiles are sound and if they are of high gloss finish them you will have to etch them some how. Acid wash or scratch them up.
I helped my buddy tile over his bathroom tile 25 years ago. It still looks great today.
If memory serves me correctly, he coated the original tiles with a latex film of some sort. I think the idea was to create a better bonding substrate for the thinset.
if the original tile is solid and clean, there's no problems.
make sure they're all attached well and there's no cracks / movement in the tiles or grout lines.
Jeff
Buck Construction
Artistry In Carpentry
Pittsburgh Pa
I'm not a tilesetter, but I did a demo of a Pizza Hut, and about half the floor was two layers of tile. They definitely did not come out any easier!
Speaking from experience, sand/scuff the existing tiles w/ a pole sander and 80 grit, vaccuum or sweep well, use a good Polymer modified thinset (ultrabond,flexbond,kerabond), and you should be fine.