Remove Old Adhesive Or Level Floor?

[Ptsteveb]

Good evening all. I'm hoping someone can help. I have never tiled a floor before, and have the in laws coming to help on Sat, but I need to get the prep work done before they arrive.

We have just bought a house and need to re-tile the kitchen, hallway and bathroom. All are in an extension, on top of a concrete floor and have the same tilles on. The original tiles where uneven, some where loose and some where cracking. I have removed the tiles, but cannot get any where with removing the old adhesive, similar to this thread

http://www.tilersforums.com/threads...2/#tilers-forum-wall-and-floor-tilers-forum.1

It doesn't look as if the concrete was originally level, and possibly they have tiled over old adhesive as well! It looks like there is two layers in some places. I have read a couple of threads, r.e ways to get rid of the old adhesive - tool rental!!

Some of the bits and pieces I have read have insinuated that I could just seal the floor and use self levelling compound over the top of the adhesive, if I'm not too fussed about loosing a couple of mm. Does this sound right?

Thanks in advance for any help and advice!!

 

[Ptsteveb]

Here are some pics of the floor! Thanks

 

[Dan]

Get a house brick a close all doors, open the windows, tape up the bottom of the doors, get a dust mask, and rub the floor with the house brick as much as you can. You'll get nearly all that off. House brick will lose some thickness too, so that adds to the dust. Sweep it all up (you can sprinkle water everywhere to help with the dust) and wait for it to dry.

See what's left then.

Edit: just seen one of the pictures where it's still quite thick. You might need to use a SDS drill on that bit to chip away at it. You can hire them from a hire shop for peanuts. Then do the brick thing.

You might need to use a small amount of leveller afterwards but the elbow grease will save you a few pennies.

 

[Just Rizzle]

if you don't fancy dans house brick method. id simply prime floor with s b r and apply tile master leveller they have one that's tileable in 90 mins lass dust this way lol

 

[Dan]

Yeah okay smart arse lol

 

[CJ]

Yup......stuff that house brick mullarky.

Self level after cleaning of any loose, & priming with diluted SBR.

 

[Dan]

Raise the floor unessisarily though and you could end up adding to the height quite a bit. Maybe doors involved and whatnot? Kitchen plinths? etc etc

It's adhesive guys.

Do you really always just SLC over adhesive just because you can't be bothered to get rid of it? Surely you don't reboard walls just because there's adhesive on those?

Showing your true colours now lads (hehe)

Messing.

 

[Old Mod]

Raise the floor unessisarily though and you could end up adding to the height quite a bit. Maybe doors involved and whatnot? Kitchen plinths? etc etc

It's adhesive guys.

Do you really always just SLC over adhesive just because you can't be bothered to get rid of it? Surely you don't reboard walls just because there's adhesive on those?

Showing your true colours now lads (hehe)

Messing.

....... what would u know? You're just the tea boy!

.....just messing! Haha

 

[Ptsteveb]

Thanks for all the advice guys! Think I will seal and level!! There is just too much adhesive!!!!

 

[CJ]

its more cost effective for the customer to self level, rather than spend God knows how long to chip away old cement on larger areas.

 

[Ptsteveb]

Update! Didn't get the tiling done this weekend, but did manage to level the floor! 7 bags of self leveling compound, later and this is the result! Thanks for everyone's help!! Really appreciated!!!

 

[Dan]

Have you checked it with a straight edge?