Help - please! Floating floor and porcelain tiles in kitchen/diner

eco-friendly_2

I didn't really understand the "flats" comment?!! (or am I being thick?

No! the reason I asked that Q you can fix the floating timber to the concrete in a upstairs flat without the risk of damaging the DPM.

cuffie

Ah, I see. I don't think I'll be able to fix mine then?
Thanks for your help. I think I am in the dog-house coz I was the one who badgered for tiles. Hubby wanted Amtico or Karndean, but I couldn't find a tile-effect one I liked. Oh dear............x
BTW, my comment about the "flats" was aimed at the "apartments" comment above - not you! sorry...I appreciate your help. x

eco-friendly_2

There are a lot of good adhesives on the market, if the timber was fixed to the concrete @ 600 centres, the floor would be perfect for tyling, the only problem is getting the right adhesive, dusty concrete will be an issue.



Your DPM should be down at least 50mm from the concrete finish, if you were careful with the depth of fixings you would be OK........a lot of work though.

Alan_M_2

This was an 80's construction method, there are workarounds as suggested above.

However, the joists would need centres less than 600mm to be acceptable - 450mm would be a reasonable minimum. You'd then need to screw the T&G chipboard to the fixed joists, then fit a minimum 12mm ply over the top of it. There is then still no guarantee it won't fail, but the likelyhood is it's reduced.

The alternative is pull it all up and get a sand/cement screed fitted with insulation if you have enough depth. This does guarantee you won't have a failure.

Get them both priced up then make a decision, I think you might be surprised how little there is between the costs when all the labour and timber is taken into consideration.