Ceramic floor tiles on top of thermoplastic

andrew-b

Hi,

We will shortly be laying ceramic floor tiles in our kitchen.

The existing floor (1950's) is a concrete floor covered in thermoplastic floor tiles (snap if you try to bend them) which are held on by a black bitumen paint/glue (which is the only form of waterproofing in the floor) and then there is another layer of some sort of plastic tiles on top of that which we think maybe self-adhesive - some sort of hard plastic/vinyl that is rigid but doesnt snap when you bend it like the thermoplastic tiles do.

All the tiles are all intact and glued down well with the exception of a square inch cut of tile that was loose in a corner. Removing the thermoplastic tiles is not an option as it would likely destroy any damp proofing provided by the bitumenous layer of paint..and relaying the floor isn't something we want to get into. I'm also doubtful i'd achieve anything by removing the second layer and really dont want to disturb the thermoplastic tiles below.

My question is which tile adhesive is best to use on top of plastic/vinyl floor tiles.

From our research Henkel (unibond) have suggested using their latex-type adhesive (£34 a bag). But even Henkel didnt seem that confident that their product was suitable.

At the moment the best bet looks like the BAL adhesives as the PDF on their website explicitly outline they can be used on top of vinyl/plastic floor tiles. However the BAL info says we must either prime the floor first with BAL Primer SBR or use a diluted BAL AD1 additive to mix the adhesive. I'm not sure which is best?

However i'm still wondering if "normal" standard floor tile adhesive will be good enough. Either way we intend to rough the surface up a bit to provide more of a key for the adhesive.

My other question is how long before we can sit the washing machine on top of our new ceramic floor? I know the BAL adhesives say either 16 hours or 2 hours (for rapidset) before you can grout....but does that mean i can put a heavy washing machine on top after that time?

I'd appreciate any advice on what brand, type, rapidset or not adhesives to use..or any other floor tiling tips for that matter!

Andy

PROFESSIONAL_LANDLORD

(which is the only form of waterproofing in the floor

No ! there will be a DPM (damp prooof membrane) under the concrete

. Removing the thermoplastic tiles is not an option as it would likely destroy any damp proofing provided by the bitumenous layer of paint..and relaying the floor isn't something we want to get into. I'm also doubtful i'd achieve anything by removing the second layer and really dont want to

If these tiles are what I think they are, (the original layer) they are easily removed with a hammer & chisel , a slight chap/shock normally removes them,
YOU CANNOT LAY CERAMIC TILES ON THESE !

However i'm still wondering if "normal" standard floor tile adhesive will be good enough. Either way we intend to rough the surface up a bit to provide more of a key for the adhesive.


Roughing or scoring these tiles will not work.

Is this an ex local Authority property ?