Flooring Tile - Concrete/New Tile
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11-01-00, 10:02 AM
I'm getting ready to take up the old mosaic tile and lay new 8 x 10 tiles.
(bathroom - upstairs)
I have an existing concrete base. I would like to keep it.
I'm sure it will not be in its best condition when I pull the old tile up.
What do I need to do, to prep it before putting the new tile down.
I've seen self leveling stuff, can I just put a light cement layer down to smooth it out (what type) or can I leave it alone if its not too bad?
(bathroom - upstairs)
I have an existing concrete base. I would like to keep it.
I'm sure it will not be in its best condition when I pull the old tile up.
What do I need to do, to prep it before putting the new tile down.
I've seen self leveling stuff, can I just put a light cement layer down to smooth it out (what type) or can I leave it alone if its not too bad?
11-01-00, 02:01 PM
Mike, I'm going to make your life easy. We routinely leave the old tile in place and go right over the top of it. The only consideration is that it raises the floor the thickness of the new tiles, but you can handle this with a reducer, a bullnose, or by raising the adjacent carpet.
Take the toilet out and clean the floor thoroughly to make sure there's no soap on it. Adhere the new tiles with a very high grade polymer modified thinset (about $25 per sack). Go to a tile supply to get this.
You might have to use two wax seals instead of one to reinstall the toilet. Get one with a plastic insert and a plain one. Put the insert one inside the other and you're in business. Set the toilet before you grout and grout under the base of the toilet. This makes a nice neat installation, and it supports the toilet.
Good luck,
John
http://www.johnbridge.com
Take the toilet out and clean the floor thoroughly to make sure there's no soap on it. Adhere the new tiles with a very high grade polymer modified thinset (about $25 per sack). Go to a tile supply to get this.
You might have to use two wax seals instead of one to reinstall the toilet. Get one with a plastic insert and a plain one. Put the insert one inside the other and you're in business. Set the toilet before you grout and grout under the base of the toilet. This makes a nice neat installation, and it supports the toilet.
Good luck,
John
http://www.johnbridge.com
11-01-00, 03:13 PM
John - Really didn't want to do that. I'd prefer to remove the old stuff. Bathroom floor is already raised pretty high from hallway and closet flooring. (It would almost become a step.) I know there isn't a 2nd layer of tile becuase we put in the tub.
11-01-00, 04:33 PM
Hi Mike:
Think about this your mosaic tile is pretty thin about 3/16" tops. after you beat your hands up taking it off and then putting a coat of patch over top of the existing "mud" you are going to be very close to what you were originally. If you use some self-leveling underlayment you will probably be even higher than the original floor. Of course you can do what you wish but, I would put your new tile directly over the old mosaics. and save yourself alot of time and aggravation.
Good Luck!
Rich Gately (tileman1)
www.gatelytilecompany.homestead.com (http://www.gatelytilecompany.homestead.com)
Think about this your mosaic tile is pretty thin about 3/16" tops. after you beat your hands up taking it off and then putting a coat of patch over top of the existing "mud" you are going to be very close to what you were originally. If you use some self-leveling underlayment you will probably be even higher than the original floor. Of course you can do what you wish but, I would put your new tile directly over the old mosaics. and save yourself alot of time and aggravation.
Good Luck!
Rich Gately (tileman1)
www.gatelytilecompany.homestead.com (http://www.gatelytilecompany.homestead.com)
11-02-00, 07:56 AM
O.K. Mike, I'll answer your original question. There is no easy way to separate the tiles from the mud underneath. This is because the bonding material (probably thinset) is stronger than the mud. What we would do if we absolutely had to remove the tiles is to remove everything, tile, mud, the works.
You may, however, be able to use a wide mason's chisel and a big hammer to get the tile off the surface. Then fill the surface with some sort of masonry filler (latex portland cement).
John
You may, however, be able to use a wide mason's chisel and a big hammer to get the tile off the surface. Then fill the surface with some sort of masonry filler (latex portland cement).
John