Adhesive/primer recomendations for tiling on tiles

[sabre198]

I am tiling the kitchen and took up the tiles, only to find another layer of tiles underneath. These are small square ceramic appx 4"x4".

This first layer is perfectly flat and very solidly attached to the wall substrate whch is plasterboard, dot and dabbed onto breeze block (70's built house)
I tried to lift one and it took the plasterboard underneath back to the brown paper.

I am retiling the whole kitchen and would like any recommendation on what adhesive to use, should I key in the tiles with a mini angle grinder to lay another tile layer on top?

The tiles that are going over them are larger and also ceramic.

So what adhesive? and does it need priming, if so what primer?

Thanks in advance
Jon

 

[Olz]

I would just take it all back to the brickword, dot and dab up new platerboards and relax safe in the knowledge you are tiling onto a nice strong surface. Plasterboards arent expensive, and putting them up isnt difficult.

It wont take long to remove the old tiles and plasterboard.

Not saying it cant be done, just that I dont and wont do it.

 

[sabre198]

Thanks If I go down that road I will make a new post with that exact requirement. Still seeking advice though on the requirement that is posted though.
Assume that for whatever reason I am not going to be re-plasterboarding..
thanks!
jon

 

[nybor62]

i agree with oli, great advice

 

[Mike Mike]

Thanks If I go down that road I will make a new post with that exact requirement. Still seeking advice though on the requirement that is posted though.
Assume that for whatever reason I am not going to be re-plasterboarding..
thanks!
jon

John, No one on here is going to recommend you tile onto tile on 40 year old plasterboard. No one.

So you can either follow the advice and take it down and re-board, or do it however you think best...

 

[sabre198]

I know, the question is tiling onto tiles not the plasterboard, ye gods I would be crucified should I even think of doing such a thing, hung drawn and quartered even!

It's ok I will take any advise with the proviso its not the best solution, but surely one of you guys can tell me or recommend what adhesive to lay ceramic tile on ceramic tile?

 

[AliGage]

I don't think it's a matter of "not the best solution". IMO it's not a solution at all. I've never tiled over tiles. Never have and never will.

For the sake of a few sheets of plasterboard and a bit of board adhesive. It's a no brainer really.

 

[Deleted member 9966]

Jon

I don't recommend tiling on top of 2 layers of tiles either. The point people are trying to get across is that you don't know how well stuck the previous 2 layers of tiles are all the way around the room. The area you have tried to remove so far is stuck solid, but that does not mean that anywhere else in the room is. By adding a 3rd layer could take the weight limit of the plasterboard too far and the 3 layers come off, taking the plasterboard with it. It's the risk you take.

And also, why would you want your tiles to be 3 layers thick anyway?

If you would like to know what Mapei recommends for tiling on top of tilers, give them a buzz Adhesive & Grout Technical Helpline: 0121 508 697

GRR

 

[sabre198]

Thank you kindly for that advice, there was originally 2 layers of tiles, I knocked off the top layer so there is only one layer of tiles now. So it wont be 3 layers of tiles.
I'm guessing the original first layer can hold the weight of a second set as thats how I bought it, and the previous owner had those 2 layers up for many years without any falling off.

Yes I fully accept its not the ideal scenario, and was initially hesitant to even ask for advice here as I know the usual drill of "rip it all out and start again" here is the default answer to everything... rip out the old walls, demo the house, excavate the land back to the bedrock, irradiate the granite to sterilise, pile drive into the earths core and then rebuild from scratch (using a quality backer board and 2 ft thick ply of course!) :incazzato: /joking of course!

 

[AliGage]

That's quite a snotty attitude considering you're the one asking for advice.

Regardless of how long 3 layers of tiles have been on your kitchen wall, etc etc. I doubt you'd find a mechanic saying it would be ok to fix a broken fanbelt with a lump blutak and sticky back plastic. There are standards that professionals abide by.

If you insist on tiling over the tiles i'm sure there'd be someone working in B and Q this coming weekend that could have a guess at what you should do.

 

[Deleted member 9966]

Jon

The lads and lassies on here provide their advice free of charge. You are well within your rights to listen to their advice and make up your own mind. Many of the professional, established tilers on here have seen no end of failures in wall and floor tiling, some due to tile on tile. They are only offering the wealth of their knowledge and experience to those who ask questions and seek solutions to problems.

The adhesive manufacturers will be able to advise which are the appropriate adhesives for the scenario you describe. If you have any further questions please do not hesitate to ask.

GRR

 

[sabre198]

Thanks for the lead to Mapei phone line, no messing just straight up answered my question given the scenario. The answer is Mapei Keraflex should any future searches come this way.

 

[AliGage]

Glad you got an answer. However, yes there is an adhesive that will stick a ceramic tile to a ceramic tile. Is this good practice? No. At least you have a solution you feel is acceptable. Good luck.

 

[Dan]

You should add some pictures of the tiling once you've done it.

 

[Mike Mike]

Thanks for the lead to Mapei phone line, no messing just straight up answered my question given the scenario. The answer is Mapei Keraflex should any future searches come this way.

"Should any future searches come this way" they will be given the same advice i.e. don't risk wasting your time and money tiling over tiles that have been there for 40 years in case they fall off in 6 months time.

By the way, don't you think it's a bit odd you were able to get the second layer of tiles off of the first layer without any of the first layer coming away from the plasterboard? They couldn't have been stuck on that well could they. And I wonder what stress that cardboard backing on the plasterboard endured while you were pulling them off? I wonder if it weakened it at all? Can it still hold 32kg per m2 now...?

Oh well, you speak with the authority of a clairvoyant so I'm sure it will be fine and everything will be tickety boo for another 40 years.... :lol: