quartz tiles over floating floor

[GaryS]

Hi guys ive done tiles only a few times and landed a job because im a perfectionist and will make sure the tiles are flush however i got a lot to learn and been thrown into the deep end with 55m2 of quartz tiles to do on a floor. the floor is a floating foor that has had 9mm ply over 18mm mdf. I can set out and tile the area just looking for pointers more on what not to do. so any help will be appreciated tiles are 600 * 600 quartz black sparkly affairs and a bit pricey to get it wrong. adhesive recomendations and primers ect will also be helpful

 

[Ian]

Ok, to begin with the 9mm ply is not a good idea nor is it in line with British standards (15mm minimum). If your floor is free from deflection then use a cement board. My biggest question is how stable is your floating floor? 99% of floating floors are not suitable for tiling on as they are too unstable.

 

[Time's Ran Out]

Gary - I think you should look at a few threads on 'floating floors' and get some information from the adhesive manufacturers before you commit to this job.

 

[kilty55]

as above,the floating floor isnt a great idea and neither is 9mmply

have a look into substrates gary

 

[Aston]

as above, not great floors to tile on.

 

[Rich]

As above, you have picked a bad on to get thrown in on. Even the best tilers on here would go into that very carefuly. Is it a new floating floor?

 

[kilty55]

i know the lure of a job that size is tempting gary but look into it in depth

 

[GaryS]

ty for the fast responses folks if it needs heavier ply or a cement board on top this is what i need to know if i need to tell customer this is what needs to be done first then i will do and i think he will ok it, if not i will leave well alone as i dont fancy the big repair bill if it goes wrong. it seems there is also an issue with the correct type of adhesive to use because of the floating floor and the quartz tiles have seperate requirements

 

[DHTiling]

Hello Gary and welcome to Tilers forums.co.uk.

If it is indeed a floating floor then unless you sort out the deflection issues then you have a heart ache that Romeo would be proud of.,

 

[Ian]

So many things to consider, sound substrate, cement board, de-coupling membrane, flex adhesive, flex grout, expansion joints. It really is a mine field and the floating floor is not a good starting point. Please be careful.

 

[Rich]

To be honest mate, I think I would leave well alone. As has been said above, there is so much to take into account and if one step of the way is not done properly, you have a hell of a problem on your hands.

Is there any chance of changing the flooring?

 

[DHTiling]

just to throw another spanner on the works... do you know if they are conglomerate tiles..?

 

[GaryS]

client has already thrown tilers of the job for not having the tiles flush hmm maybe thats the easy way out lol lay some that are a few mm out and give problem to someone else lol, if i have to tell client that 9mm ply is no good as his £5k floor will fail later im sure he will listen I just need to know exactly what to do to make it right this client doesnt want to spend the money but he has it to spend and will if i can tell him why

 

[GaryS]

conglomerate tile dave ?
client sourced tiles so how can you tell ?

 

[Ian]

His 5k floor will be worth 5 quid if it fails and needs ripping up. First things first, is the sub floor stable and deflection free?