How long to wait before tiling floor?

travel_freak

Hi,

I am having a new floor laid in my kitchen, dug out and concreted over. A tiler I had round to quote said it is necessary to wait 7 days for the concrete to set properly before tiling. Please can anyone comment on whether this is correct or if the tiling can start sooner than 7 days? It's going to be dug out, insulated, damp proof, hardcore etc., and then cement on the top.

Can't wait to get the tiles down and have a nice, clean, dry floor that's all...

Many thx in advance.

coolagarry

I read in several places that you should wait 3 to 6 weeks http://www.buildingtalk.com/news/ard/ard152.html
so you will have to be patient. It would be a pity to have loose tiles, tiles coming up etc because of impatience. Perhaps lay thick cardboard or similar on the floor so that you can use it whilst it is properly drying out.

adaze

Ideally I would wait as long as you can, i.e. at least a month. If it doesn't dry properly before you tile then drys out more after tiling, you will be left with uneven and possibly cracked tiles! Its not worth chancing IMO.

robv_3

The general rule is one day per screed depth in mm. The screed is normally between 65 and 75mm deep so around two months. The only real way to tell is with a moisture meter but in the old days it was done by sticking down a 1m square of plastic sheet with packing tape and if condensation was found on the bottom when let overnight its not dry enough.

Bungarm2001

My OH always leaves it at least 6-8 weeks before tiling a newly concreted floor, otherwise you'll have lifting tiles for all the reasons above.

Don't be tempted to cover it temporarily with vinyl or something similar as this will possibly slow the drying process. You could cover it with seagrass matting if you really can't stand the concrete look

Looks like you will be stuck with a boring old concrete floor for longer than you thought, but look on the bright side...it'll be wonderful when it's done!

rustybucket

Will this length of time be the same in relation to a wood floor being fitted in our living room? We're waiting for our floor to be dug out/concrete and screed. Builder busy so have to wait 3 weeks for work to start

travel_freak

Hi everyone,

Thanks a million for the helpful replies and website link.

Ah well, it's been waiting the best part of a year so I guess another month or so is neither here nor there...! They're really lovely slate tiles too so I don't want them cracking up on me....Maybe I'll have my new kitchen by Xmas time....!!