I’ve read through the discussions regarding installation of ceramic tile over vinyl tile or asbestos tile. How about over well adhered sheet vinyl. A previous installation of composition wood flooring (strips) over sheet vinyl required the use of a ‘vinyl blocker’. Would this be good practice or unnecessary? Are there other products out there that should be considered or just use an appropriate thinset? Only other option at this time is installing a 1/4″ base material of Hardibacker or similar material. All/any advice is cherished.
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http://www.mapei.com
They have a pretty good site that'll suggest products for this.
I'm doing one in about a week and I'm putting down 1/4 backer as added security.
It's for a customer...for my own house I'd skip it. Call backs at home don't cost much.
Mapei has a new mesh underlayment that's low profile and thinsetted down.
Jeff
Buck Construction Pittsburgh,PA
Fine Carpentery.....While U Waite
If you install tile directly onto the vinyl, the surface of the vinyl may have to be roughened up to allow the thinset to get a good bond. Also, you should make sure that the subfloor is strong enough to support the tile installation (see TCA specs for more details). For example, if the sheet vinyl was installed over 1/4" lauan which was stapled to 5/8" osb, the subfloor doesn't meet TCA spec for stiffness, and you may get cracks in the tile. You may have to add backerboard to reach the 1 1/8" minimum required thickness.
In general it's a good idea to install 1/4" hardibacker (or similar) to minimize the problem of thinset adhering to the vinyl. But if you're going to bother to do this, how much more work is it to just rip the vinyl out before putting down the backerboard?
I did a rip out and replace one year ago where the tile was over vinyl. They had stapled down wire, then thinset and set the tile in the thinset. We ripped it all out easily, 900sq/ft. and then put down new underlayment and strip hardwood. The tile job lasted 12 years, but the owner said alot of tiles had been loose for at least 12 years also. I got one tile out, put a spade against the vinyl, and everything just peeled up. 2 guys could not keep up hauling it out for one guy shoveling.
I made good money on that job, for 4-1/2 days work. Something like 7k. Could have been a nightmare, most are.
you didnt mention if it was over a slab of raised foundation. Slab Id remove the vinyl if its a raised foundation Id screw the hardibacker over it and start setting the tile
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