Quick tiling query
Discussion
Whats the general consensus regarde tiling over existing tiles?
I have had conflicting opinions and don't know who to believe.
I'm looking to tile an area of wall approx 9 feet by 7 feet in 300mm square slate floor tiles. the tiles are approx 10/12 mm thick and the existing wall is tiled in glazed terracotta 100mm square tiles.
I would rather not remove the old tiles if possible as i think they would be an arse to get off and make a mess of the plastered brick wall underneath but don't want the slate coming down.
What do you guys recon?
I have had conflicting opinions and don't know who to believe.
I'm looking to tile an area of wall approx 9 feet by 7 feet in 300mm square slate floor tiles. the tiles are approx 10/12 mm thick and the existing wall is tiled in glazed terracotta 100mm square tiles.
I would rather not remove the old tiles if possible as i think they would be an arse to get off and make a mess of the plastered brick wall underneath but don't want the slate coming down.
What do you guys recon?
Laurel Green said:
I have done the same in my bathroom no problem. If you are worried about tile slippage while adhesive is going off; mix up some Unibond with sand and, coat the tiles a day or so before re-tiling.
To be honest I wouldnt recommend this - Unibond can be reactivated if it gets wet. So if any water gets behind the tile - maybe the grout isnt as good as it should be - the tiles can come off the wall.Id be inclined to batten at the lowest level and use spacers. Once dry remove the batten and fit the last row of tiles.
mxi933 said:
To be honest I wouldnt recommend this - Unibond can be reactivated if it gets wet. So if any water gets behind the tile - maybe the grout isnt as good as it should be - the tiles can come off the wall.
Id be inclined to batten at the lowest level and use spacers. Once dry remove the batten and fit the last row of tiles.
What he said.Id be inclined to batten at the lowest level and use spacers. Once dry remove the batten and fit the last row of tiles.
No reason not to tile on top of existing tiles. All that is required is a stable background.
It used to be popular to by a pack of tile over tiles which were usually thinner than regular ones. Personally I knocked the tiles off my walls, some came off cleanly whereas on other walls the tiles took half the plaster with them so I ended up learning to plaster. I have to admit I preferred knowing I'd done a proper job after I finished, as I always think covering things up is a bit of a bodge but tbph you would barely know the difference on a finished result.
The only thing to be concerned about imo is if the tiles that are already on the wall are blown away from the wall. You can tell by tapping them to see if it sounds really hollow, some tilers dot dab tiles on and will sound slightly hollow but if it sounds like the tiles are floating away from the wall and there are loads of hollow patches that sound the same they might want knocking off as you dont want the new tiles coming off the wall with the old ones because someone leans on them.
The only thing to be concerned about imo is if the tiles that are already on the wall are blown away from the wall. You can tell by tapping them to see if it sounds really hollow, some tilers dot dab tiles on and will sound slightly hollow but if it sounds like the tiles are floating away from the wall and there are loads of hollow patches that sound the same they might want knocking off as you dont want the new tiles coming off the wall with the old ones because someone leans on them.
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