Ok, so I know as much about tools as I do about tools which is zero. So, I have hired a tile guy to fix the bathroom tile of the house we just bought. Here’s the deal. Aparantly Moses decided to see if he still had it and tried to part the tile in the bathroom. So we need to fix it. The tile man said that he could tile over the cracked tile. I’m hearing from others that this is a mistake. I then asked the tile guy if all we’re doing is putting a bandaid over the problem and he said no. I’m willing to rip up the floor and start from scratch but I don’t plan to be in this house for more than 5-7 years before selling it again and if you can tile over it and make it work, I’m willing. But I don’t want to spend money on a bandaid. Any thoughts to help me decide would be appreciated. Pardon my ignorance.
Jim
Replies
Yes, you can tile over tile, but it has to be prepped properly. Usually that's as much work as ripping out the old tile and starting fresh.
Why did it crack? Too much deflectionm in the floor? Then the second layer will crack too ... in the same places. Tell the tile guy to take a hike and find someone who will do it right.
Why not do it yourself? Rip out the tile (that will be the hardest part), put down a layer of Ditra, and lay the tile. If you take your time. it will be a day of demo, a day and a half of laying tile, half a day of grouting, and then reset the commode. The Armistice Day long weekend is coming up ... perfect opportunity.
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
I have no skill, that's why. But thanks so much for the tip. I think I'm going to get a second opinion on the floor. My gut says to tile over tile is not gonna cut it. Thanks for pretty much confirming that one.Jim
Thanks for the help everyone. I'm going to kill the tile over tile idea and do it up properly.I appreciate everyone jumping in and convincing me.Have a good weekend.Go Steelers.Jim
You definitely need to remove the tile. Tile usually dose'nt stick very well to tile. If you install tile over it, you won't just be putting on a band-aid, you'll be putting salt in your wound and then putting on a band-aid.
I hate to tell you this, but besides removing the tile I would strongly recommend removing what's underneath it, to inspect for water damage. If there is water damage, the sooner you fix it, the better. It will also add to the value of your home. There's no telling what your bathroom will look like in 5-7 years if this is left unchecked.
You can always do some of the demo work yourself if you want to save money. Either way, I'de get another tile guy. This one obviously doesn't know what he's doing.
JCT is right ... do the demo yourself and save some money. Usually a HO does not benefit by doing any of the work themselves, but demo-ing a tile floor or tile shower walls would be a big exception.
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
Jim,
Don't tile over the cracked old floor:
The agree with the other posts, I would tear it out and check the floor underneith.
We had tile in the 5' x 12' entryway of the house we are remodelling. My wife asked if she could help, so I told her to take a hammer (22 oz framing) to the tile and get it out of there. It took her about 4 hours. I use the floor scraper (handle with a blade) and cleaned it up in 30 minutes. If you want it to go fast and easy, rent a smaller roto-hammer with a chisel blade and go at it - you should have it out in about an hour or two. If you do not have a shop vac, buy one - you will want it for cleaning up the grit.
Good luck.
Another reason for taking out the tile yourself ... when the tile contractor looks at the job, there will be less hidden conditions and you will get a more accurate price. It won't be "Well, the price depends on what we find after the tile is taken out".
If you use a hammer to break up the tile, wear goggles or a face shield. Little chips of busted ceramic will fly everywhere.
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt