leveling over floor tiles

[shaundaly]

Hi All,

I have a job to do for a contractor and they have told me to self level over the top of existing floor tiles and then lay the new ceramics. I would assume that the existing tiles are ceramic or porcelain.

My question is simple. Can you apply levelers over tiles and if so would you seal with BAL APD or SBR before leveling :huh2:

Thanks for any help

Shaun

 

[andersontiling]

hi, how come your levelling on top of tiles??did the last fixer make such a poor job?if the tiles are clean and solid tile over the top...cheaper

 

[Gazzatile]

The question is why are you tiling over them and what is underneath them as you would expect floor tiles to be flat

 

[DHTiling]

Even better , take them up...you cannot guarantee the integrity of the previous installation and then you have to guarantee your installation on top of the old one....

Pull them up IMO...

 

[medlar]

I am with the lads on this 1 mate,it seems to me that if they want you to self level over existing tiles they are trying to hide something,actually you would be hiding something as it would be your name on the job.Remove the tiles,check the subtrate and repair if neccesary then re-tile

Jimmy

 

[DERBER]

Even better , take them up...you cannot guarantee the integrity of the previous installation and then you have to guarantee your installation on top of the old one....

Pull them up IMO...

Exactly. Best answer Dave.

 

[andy-p]

To answer your question you can use slc over sound tiles on a solid base,
check with manufacturer which type to use eg mapeis ultraplan. do not tile over tiles on a wooden substrate. it is preferable to lift tiles if possible...

 

[doug boardley]

let us know how you get on Shaun

 

[shaundaly]

Thanks guys,I agree with lifting the tiles, but I have not seen the job and am just doing what they are asking. I am guessing that the old tiles have been laid badly and the home owner wants it leveled, so the contractor has said that I will self level it. If it's not to bad I will just bed out with rapid set as I go along.I am a kitchen fitter by trade but do my own tiling. The kitchen company I am fitting for covers all aspects of the kitchen such as tiling, electrics etc. They are not experts at tiling so thats why I ask you guys because some of the stuff they want me to do is nonsense.As long as it is possible to do, ie, there are no reactions or the slc does not stick to tiles then thats all I need to know. I suppose if they have charged the home owner for it, I gotta do it.CheersShaun

 

[DHTiling]

Shaun...if these are glazed/gloss tiles then rapid set will NOT stick to them.....It needs to be a highly flexible adhesive to stick......

 

[shaundaly]

Good point Dave.

Cheers

 

[shaundaly]

Dave,

I thought I'd ask, do you think the Topps single part flexi will be ok. Don't want to fork out for 2 part if I can help it.

Shaun

 

[DHTiling]

If they are gloss finish then no good...imo..

You could always slurry coat them first....then use a rapid set skim coat..for adhesion..

 

[sWe]

SPF will stick to glazed tiles if you use an epoxy primer, such as Ardex P 82, but that does not circumvent the need for the existing substrate and tiling installation to be sound. Removing the old tile covering is always preferable IMO.