Advice on laying kitchen floor tiles please!

GSDog

Hi all.

I would like to lay some ceramic floor tiles in my parents kitchen as they've had to put up with vinyl for years which is starting to peel up now.
I've already chosen the tiles, they are 33cm x 33cm ceramic.

The problem is that underneath the vinyl flooring which they have at the moment there are quarry tiles which are apparently about 60 years old... I have no idea what the condition of the floor is like underneath those tiles.
What do you suggest I do? I don't want to rip all of the old quarry tiles out if the floor underneath is not suitable for the new ones. Is it possible to lay the new ceramic tiles on top of the quarry ones?

I am very new to all of this so any advice would be appreciated.

leocan

If the quarry tiles are stable and secure I would firstly use a universal primer brushed over the existing floor using a paint roller then spread a layer of polymer screed, a self-leveling compound on the surface. A product such as mapei or equivalent. Usually a 2 part mix with liquid and powder found in most DIY stores.

The Primer helps the Screed take to the quarry tile and the self level compound will provide a sub-floor before fitting new ceramic tiles.
Dry time for Primer 10 mins
Dry time for Screed 8 HRS

Good Luck

GSDog

leocan wrote: »

If the quarry tiles are stable and secure I would firstly use a universal primer brushed over the existing floor using a paint roller then spread a layer of polymer screed, a self-leveling compound on the surface. A product such as mapei or equivalent. Usually a 2 part mix with liquid and powder found in most DIY stores.

The Primer helps the Screed take to the quarry tile and the self level compound will provide a sub-floor before fitting new ceramic tiles.
Dry time for Primer 10 mins
Dry time for Screed 8 HRS

Good Luck

Thanks. I don't believe the quarry tiles are stable though. I have a feeling that a few of them are loose as I can hear and feel them move when walking on the vinyl. I guess I won't know for sure until I rip the vinyl flooring up.
Ideally I'd like to just remove the quarry tiles and start afresh, but I don't want to do that if it's going to cause more problems or make things a lot more difficult.

olias

Have you not considered cleaning up the quarry tiles and using them? If the majority of them are secure, it would just be a matter of scraping out and regrouting, re seating the loose ones and cleaning the surface. A lot quicker and easier job than re laying the whole floor. Also have you not considered that laying tiles on top of existing would raise the floor level, leading to problems with door thresholds/opening, kitchen cupboard plinths etc etc?

Olias

danofessex

Best option i think is rip up the quarry tiles (as you can hear and feel them move).

If you tile onto the tiles you may think your got all the problem tiles up but might miss one thinking it's ok.
Then a while later that missed tile moves meaning the grout above it or the tile which is now not supported might crack.

once you take up one loose tile your know what the subfloor is.
then just ask if you want any advice.

dan

GSDog

I have considered using the existing quarry tiles but they are not in good condition at all and they won't suite the kitchen design my parents are looking for.

I have come the conclusion that removing the quarry tiles is the best way to go. I don't want to cause more problems in the future by leaving them in place, or risking the new floor tiles by keep them in place.

What do you recommend I do about the concrete floor below the quarry tiles? What would I need to do to prepare it for the new tiles? Is it just a case of putting some self levelling compound/screed down to even the floor and make it an ideal base for the new tiles?

keystone

In principal yes - SLC will do the trick but you won't know exactly what you need to do to prep it until the old tiles are up.

Cheers