cork tiles, set in bitumen on concrete floor

[Paulyboy]

Hello chaps, just had a look at a floor tiling job. Currently there are cork tiles laid on bitumen, on a concrete floor. They are the original floor covering in a hallway and WC, been down since the early 1960's and tight as a drum,with no lifting evident. So my question is, are they ok to go straight over?, or do you think i should SBR them?, really dont fancy having to get them up, because i will never be able to get the bitumen/tar up anyway. Your advice/opinions greatly appreciated.

 

[Deleted member 9966]

ooooh, this is an interesting conumdrum. any ideas boys and girls?

 

[jay]

Sorry cork has to come up

 

[Paulyboy]

Why?, what about ply over boarding?

 

[Andy Allen]

i wouldn't tile on cork tiles, rip it up, or give the job a miss would be my advice..

 

[jay]

With a concrete floor and bitumen if any moisture gets through it will cause issues with the ply also cork would of been sealed so not much will stick to it not to mention the softness of cork (spring or bounce) best to remove

 

[Paulyboy]

Ok, so cork has to be removed, then what do I put over the bitumen? SLC? Or some sort or primer?

 

[Andy Allen]

there not an adhesive on the market that will reccomend you can use there product over cork..

 

[kilty55]

you could do a slurry coat over any remaining bitumen paul

 

[The Legend; Phil Hobson RIP]

Why?, what about ply over boarding?

Hi and welcome, cork is not a suitable surface to tile on, you could try heating the cork with a hot air gun this will soften the ATA (asphalt tile adhesive) they were laid into. Once heated the cork should lift leaving an ATA residue, if you remove as much of this as poss again using a hot air gun ( not to much heat) just enough to soften it. Then use a SBR/cement based adhesive slurry mix to stabilize the whole area, imo this would be the way to go.

Hope this helps.

 

[The Legend; Phil Hobson RIP]

Thats me to slow typing again then.:lol:

 

[Paulyboy]

Hi and welcome, cork is not a suitable surface to tile on, you could try heating the cork with a hot air gun this will soften the ATA (asphalt tile adhesive) they were laid into. Once heated the cork should lift leaving an ATA residue, if you remove as much of this as poss again using a hot air gun ( not to much heat) just enough to soften it. Then use a SBR/cement based adhesive slurry mix to stabilize the whole area, imo this would be the way to go.

Hope this helps.

Thanks Phil, this will be the best approach. Thanks for your help

 

[jay]

Thats me to slow typing again then.:lol:

The Hare doesn't always win