Slate floor tiling

[joinerjohn]

Hi there, first time poster, so go steady... My daughter has asked me if I can tile her kitchen floor with natural slate tiles. The existing floor is thermoplastic tiles on concrete. They are very firmly fixed down and are quite level (dropped my long level over the floor and it's pretty good)
Is it ok to tile straight over the top of these? (perhaps need roughing up to provide a better key) If so, what adhesive would you recommend? As the tiles are natural slate, do they need sealing before laying, or would you seal after laying, but before grouting?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Gazzer]

I wouldnt tile onto the plastic tiles and yes I would seal before and after especially if you are not that experienced with stone.

 

[joinerjohn]

Thanks for such a quick reply. If I can't tile on to the existing tiles, I'm assuming I'll have to take them up. They are stuck to the floor extremely well. Any advice on lifting them?

 

[Gazzer]

Depends what sort they are, Many clients say to me that they are stuck well and I walk in and start taking them up easy with the knack. A heat gun can help but usually a flat though scraper works well. Failing thats its a bolster chisel and hammer job.

 

[Dougs Third Go]

A floor scraper can get the most of them up, the type that plasterers use (or should lol!), I've got one that I cut down to about 2 foot in length for getting the awkward bits up.

 

[Mr Tiler]

Spear & Jackson Floor Scraper | Flooring Tools | NoLinksToThis# wish I had one of these for that floor last week lol ben using a heavy duty one today they are the best solution for getting up muck on the floor!

 

[Gazzer]

Thats a toy ....this is the mutts Roughneck Big Mutt Pro Multi-Use Building & Decorating Tool 9 x 7" | Edging Knives & Mutts | NoLinksToThis

 

[Ian]

I've got one of these, Floor Scraper (Extra Heavy duty) £15.99 in stock - next day UK delivery plus Tile Cutters and Tiling Tools it's a beast, makes light work of most things.

 

[One Day]

I'd clean them and use BAL bond SBR as per instructions to prime then tile away.
I've done several this way and all been fine.
Make sure you remove any loose ones though.

 

[joinerjohn]

Cheers impish, I was hoping someone would come along with a reasonable solution (which didn't involve taking the vinyl tiles up) The BAL bond SBR sounds like the ideal solution for me. :wave::wave:

 

[TJ Smiler]

Hello John and welcome, if you aint got much experience then if iwere you i would be taking them up and i would also suggest sealing once before laying and once before grouting.

As impish says you may be ok going on top, but he knows what he's looking at and what would work.

 

[prceramics]

Take them up do it properly do it once