Tiling over vinyl tiles

[1976mjs]

Hi - I am refurbishing a friends bathroom, which will involve laying 30cm square porcelain tiles on the floor (can't wait to cut them!). I have removed the old lino, and discovered a layer of 12 inch vinyl tiles, and can see that where some have worn away, they have been stuck down with a black adhesive. They are laid on a level, concrete floor. I would try and remove them, but have heard some scary things about asbestos in the adhesive used for 12 inch vinyl tiles.

The only option I can think of at the moment, is to screw 6mm hardibacker down over the vinyl tiles, but would guess that this will be very time consuming, with all the screws going into concrete...

Can anyone recommend an alternative approach? Is there any way of tiling straight onto the vinyl tiles if they are secure?

Many thanks in advance
Mike

[Alan.P]

Hi Mike, welcome to the forum, if the tiles are sound then there is no reason you can't tile straight on top, scour them first with a half brick or similar so as the addy can get a better grip.

Good luck.

[1976mjs]

Thank you! This will make the job a lot easier.

[theyomper]

It's not the asbestos in the adhesive it's in the tile. My approach would be that providing they are solid to the floor is to prep and use a flexible adhesive.

[malcolml]

give the vynil tiles a good clean down to remove any grease dirt then prime the floor with an acrylic primer and tile within 24hrs of priming. You should use a flexible adhesive that is suitable for porcelain tiles.

ENJOY
WORK SMARTER NOT HARDER

[Dave]

give the vynil tiles a good clean down to remove any grease dirt then prime the floor with an acrylic primer and tile within 24hrs of priming. You should use a flexible adhesive that is suitable for porcelain tiles.

ENJOY
WORK SMARTER NOT HARDER

Hiya malc......should actually be a synthetic primer....for vinyls...