Bathroom - what to use HELP!!

[DinkyDavo]

Hi,

I live in a new build been here roughly 6 years and now expecting our first born.

Iwe currently have carpet over the Vinyl floor. But this is looking tired. Got some Porcelain tiles from B&Q which were discounted. But unsure what adhesive / grout to use.

The Vinyl is a one piece glued to a wooden floor and has no give or foam underneath. So I am hoping can tile straight over this.

Just need some advice on what adhesive and grout I get and to buy to prep the vinyl floor. The room is only 2m squared, tiles are a off white marble look.

Thanks

Dave

 

[Dan]

Vinyl will need to come up, and you'll need to see what 'wood' it is underneath. It'll probably need over-boarding with marine plywood. And then you'll need to use a two-part cement-based adhesive that uses a polymer additive to make it flexible. And one that's suitable to fixing porcelain too as they have a very very low absorption rate so a normal cement based adhesive wont cut the mustard.

Then a flexible grout too.


Wait for the lads to contribute too though as I don't tile any more. They'll be able to recommend adhesive and whatnot.

 

[macten]

Hi Dave,

The best advice is the correct advice and that would be:
Remove carpet
Remove vinyl
Secure wooden floor with screws into joists
Overboard with a 6mm cement board eg: NoMorePly or Hardibacker 250
Tile with a cement bagged flexible adhesive suitable for porcelain
Grout with a flexible grout
Job done

 

[Dan]

No tea. You didn't mention a break for a cup of tea!

 

[DinkyDavo]

Thanks will do... It just that I read a couple of forums and goodies that it is possible to tile over as long as vinyl is one piece and has no give.

 

[macten]

Okay,
Have a brew
Remove carpet
Have another cuppa halfway through removing carpet grippers after needle sticking yourself 5 times
Remove vinyl - easier said than done so have the kettle on standby.
Secure wooden floor with screws into joists
Overboard with a 6mm cement board eg: NoMorePly or Hardibacker 250
Set out and dry lay some tiles
Have a brew
Tile with a cement bagged flexible adhesive suitable for porcelain
Have a pint of Stella or 3 and grout in the morning!
Grout with a flexible grout
Job done

 

[Dan]

Thanks will do... It just that I read a couple of forums and goodies that it is possible to tile over as long as vinyl is one piece and has no give.

You can't tile over vinyl. And if you could, your wood isn't rigid enough.

Vinyl needs to come up, and wood needs to be made more rigid to prevent deflection along with preventing expansion and retraction popping the tiles off at a later date.

You only want to do this once so do it right.

Not sure what forums are advising you can tile over vinyl. They need pop over here and learn the facts I think.

 

[DinkyDavo]

The flat does have wood under the vinyl but more vinyl as that's the new build construction. Could I not place the 6mm cement board over the Vinyl?

 

[macten]

Thanks will do... It just that I read a couple of forums and goodies that it is possible to tile over as long as vinyl is one piece and has no give.

It's not ideal but I have done it on occasion on cement screed using a slurry coat of primer and a highly flexible adhesive. Your bathroom floor will most likely be chipboard so would always remove vinyl and sort that out and then overboard.
For such a small area it would be mad not to lift.

 

[DinkyDavo]

When I moved in the entire flat has a vinyl tile floor which I assume is fixed to either a concrete or wooden floor. Then in the kitchen and bathroom a single sheet (no tiles) vinyl has been applied and glued over this.

Could I not just place the cement board over the vinyl?

 

[Dan]

No as the wood will either be floor boards or chipboard so you will need to strengthen that.

Rip it up it's not hard!

 

[DinkyDavo]

Guys, thanks for the info. Removed the carpet, and while removing the carpet grippers some parts of the vinyl was coming up where it was not stuck down well, so pulled it all up.

Took about two hours. Will post pics later of before and after.

 

[Brian the Tile]

Hi DinkyDavo youwill be glad you took good advise then,i missed your post last week but for anybody that is thinking that they can tile over vinyl,please dont do it ,you will also find out that in most cases the vinyl will only be glued around the edges and maybe a couple of silicone lines in the middle if your lucky,so you did the right thing

 

[DinkyDavo]

Brian The Tile...

I have to use a chisel to get the Vinyl up it was proper stuck down... Lol!!!

Ply is down now... New Radiator fixed to wall.. Just the final couple pieces of plumbing todo then lay out new tiles..

 

[AliGage]

What size ply did you use?
Would of made sense as it's such a small area (and it would of probably of been cheaper) to go with Hardie 250.