I’ve done a lot of ceramic tile work as an Owner Builder and handyman helping family. Recently a friend of mine asked for help and I told him no problem, just pick out the tile and grout. When I mentioned he needed to remove the linoleum from the concrete floor he said ” they told me at the Home Depot to just lay the tile over the linoleum”. All of my work has been over concrete or wood with concrete backer board as a base. I’m uneasy about putting a ceramic kitchen floor over lino. I have 2 books covering tile installation and neither mention this. This project is coming up in less than 3 weeks so I’m looking for some advise.
Thanks in advance
Jim
Replies
Jim, I have installed ceramic tile over vinyl flooring many times and have had no problems. I first saw this done by a tilesetter who had been at his trade for 40+ years.
I always inspect the floor in question for loose spots and peeling or delaminating.Not all vinyl floors are good cantidates for this method..if the bond between the vinyl and the concrete is poor, then you will not have a successful installation. Clean the floor thoroughly with a de-greaser and then scuff with coarse sandpaper and remove all dust. I use modified thinset to set the tile,and grout as usual.
Others here disagree with this method and will insist upon removal of the floor covering.I have had good luck with floors I judged to be well-adhered.My reasoning is that the bond between vinyl and concrete is usually a tenacious one and the vinyl acts as an isolation membrane (recommended for several applications).
I wish that you hadn't mentioned Home Depot as a proponent of this method as that will immediately mark it as a sub-quality approach to many on this site.
Luck, jw
what the heck
was I thinking?
i'm the same as you. spoke to a tile setter at a convention once who authoritatively stated that you could install over vinyl. since i did work for clients in there homes, i took it down to the concrete.
there is a middle ground. pick up some vinyl remnants on the cheap and install upside down over the existing vinyl to retain the benefits of a separation barrier while getting the adherence properties of the vinyl backing. not an uncommon practice in the trade.
follow the pointers previously described. make sure that the existing vinyl is secure. scuff the finish surfaces first. degrease (with TSP, the chemical in the box in the paint departments and stores, not the shelf cleaner in the markets that goes by the name "TSP").
brian
Edited 11/8/2002 12:23:03 AM ET by brian smith
Edited 11/8/2002 12:31:58 AM ET by brian smith
Jim
The only thing I'd be uneasy about is "doing work for a friend"!
I've done tile over lino with no problem. Just be sure to rough it up first and dont mix the thinset with water. Use the liquid latex additive. YOu might also think of putting Denshield down over it if youre all that nervous bout it. Couldnt hurt unless the height is an issue
Be well
Namaste
Andy
It's not who's right, it's who's left ~ http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
As long as it is solid and not the cushioned type vinyl, you may install tile over it.
Boris
"Sir, I may be drunk, but you're crazy, and I'll be sober tomorrow" -- WC Fields, "Its a Gift" 1927
How about installing cement board over vinyl on a wood floor. I suspect the existing vinyl may have asbestos in it and would also like to skip the mess of demo if possible.
hey you,Dats what I said......lol
Be well
Namaste'
AndyIt's not who's right, it's who's left ~ http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
Yeah, Andy, thanks. The thread was about lino on concrete. Mines on wood- 2 layers of 1x. Height's no problem. I knew I could do it, but was asking for any special considerstions - glue the concrete board, etc.
consider using Hardiback @ 1/4" to minimize additional height. install with thinset fortified with latex additive, and nail with galv. roofing nails according to marks on units.
brian