Tiling onto ply - another thread......

[KateJ]

Tiling onto Ply - OK - just seen the other thread and it's 'No you can't'.
Is there no product I can put down to firm up the surface to make it right for tiling?
Or shall I just give up????

I know there is flexible adhesive (or special 'onto wood' adhesive and grout).. is it still impossible?

My floor is 18mm ply and if I'm honest a tad springy here and there...

Kxx

 

[WetSaw]

It may not be the ply that's making it springy, what's underneath is important too!

 

[KateJ]

Today the guys took up the old chipboard and put ply down onto the beams below. They are spaced too far apart and not much to be done about it.

 

[WetSaw]

Did you check how much the joists move when the chipboard was taken up? Did they put extra noggins ( cross bracing between the joists) in?

 

[LM]

It doesn't matter what you do if the floor is springing this needs to be strengthened to eradicate all deflection.
Then you need to incorporate a decoupling layer like Ditra 25 or BAL rapid mat into the tiling.
Plywoods nowadays aren't what they used to be!
As someone on here states "Fail to prepare then prepare to fail".

 

[KateJ]

Dear me! Not they didn't put extra noggins in and GROAN can't I just tile? I suppose they would crack and the grout would work its way out again....

How do I strengthen it?

Kx

 

[LM]

That really depends on the actual deflection, as PDC above says you need to lift the floor and install what ever support necessary to eliminate the deflection. If you don't address the deflection it's more than likely that the floor will fail in some form or another.
This is one corner you can't cut I'm afraid if you want a successful installation.

 

[LM]

Who are the "guys" that fitted the plywood? Are they joiners or handymen?
Any time served joiner or competent handyman would know how to resolve the deflection.

 

[KateJ]

Hmmm.

I think I might have to ask a tiler or two in for a quote and let them see my floor. if they look horrified then I'll know.

On the verge of giving up...

 

[KateJ]

They are young joiners - and the floor is flat and sturdy (with a modicum of spring) - but not as per a concrete ground floor.

 

[LM]

Don't give up, it's not rocket science. Your problem will have a simple solution. It just NEEDS to be done

 

[WetSaw]

They are spaced too far apart and not much to be done about it.

Extra noggins, sistering the joists etc. There are usually some options available.

 

[KateJ]

The ply went down today... I don't really want to get it up again... this has already cost me a fortune. I could just throw some vinyl flooring down and sell the tiles.

 

[LM]

If you don't want the hassle of correcting the deflection then Amtico or the like is the way to go.

 

[WetSaw]

All things considered, you may be better off with that option.
As Lee says, Amtico or Karndean would be a good option and may also help with your sound transmission concerns.