Tile On Tile

[Taz8130]

Whats the accepted approach to prepping, with regards tiling onto ceramic tiles.

Am I correct in cleaning surface, applying primer and, as the original tiles have indentations, putting down a layer of self-leveler or can I smooth over with some rapidset ?

[Daveyboy]

Personally, I don't tile on tile as you cannot guarrantee how stable they are/will be or how good the substrate is, which will have an impact on your ability to guarrantee your work...from your description, it sounds like they're on the floor. Can't you lift the old tiles?

[Taz8130]

Personally, I don't tile on tile as you cannot guarrantee how stable they are/will be or how good the substrate is, which will have an impact on your ability to guarrantee your work...from your description, it sounds like they're on the floor. Can't you lift the old tiles?

That would be my preferred option but customer states she just wants tile on tile. Have advised her about possibility of problems, but still wants it

[Dave]

Don't give the customer a choice....when they say can you tile on tiles ,,say NO sorry but it has to be done this way......don't give options when it comes to your gaurantees.....

[uug197h]

I would tell the customer to put it in writing that you will not be held responsible if there are any problems of injury caused by tiling on tiles, i bet she changes her mind and tells you take the tiles off

[Daveyboy]

That would be my preferred option but customer states she just wants tile on tile. Have advised her about possibility of problems, but still wants it

Customers The trouble is, she will find someone who will tile on the existing tiles and you will have lost the work. If you're tiling onto a wooden floor you might be able to justify a weight issue re overtiling which would place undue stress on the boards/joists and that legally you could be prosecuted if you tiled it and someone was later injured.

[andersontiling]

imo dont see any problem with tile on tile.must be flexible adhesive and rapid for better grab.if the existing tiles are solid whats the point in taking them up and finding more problems.my only concern after all this is floor finish heights.i would never prime on tile on tile just make sure the tiles are free from dust and grime

[cornish_crofter]

How difficult would it be to lift the old tiles?

[andersontiling]

the trouble is c.c how can you possibly price for taking up existing tiles.i had an instance took existing tiles up ,underneath some more tiles ,then the dreaded asphalt which was debonded.brand new kitchen and screeding the floor.always have a tap about if everything is sound why try and fix something that is nt broken

[Daveyboy]

you might get away with ToT on a concrete base Anders, but may not be so luckly on a wooden floor (Taz hasn't said what the substrate is yet) - see my thread 'beware the dangers that lurk beneath'. I know that's a pretty dire situation but....

[Taz8130]

you might get away with ToT on a concrete base Anders, but may not be so luckly on a wooden floor (Taz hasn't said what the substrate is yet) - see my thread 'beware the dangers that lurk beneath'. I know that's a pretty dire situation but....

Sorry for my omission - its over concrete.

[andersontiling]

a really daft tip davey.on a timber floor always look infront of the washing machine

[Dave]

As far as i 'm concerned , tiling on tiles is for the DIY and not the professional.....Don't mean to be blunt here but the best way is to start a fresh....

1 : Substrates expand at different rates to the tiles on top.
2 : So if you add another layer then that's 1 substrate and 2 surfaces expanding at different rates..why risk a failure because of a bit extra prep work...

The phrase is ...Do it right first time.....