CER

Before anyone calls me an idiot please hear me out. I have one of "those" customers who has given me two theories he wants answers to and one is reasonable to me and the other well, not really. Here goes. They have slate tile on there entry floor and they do not want it taken up so they asked me two questions. Could I paint it or tile over it. Now paint might be like doing a garage floor preperation, but I have never heard of or bothered to try paintiing something like this. Any comments on this part welcome. Now as for tiling over this I was actually wondering if it is possible to use the old like hardiboard or if this is a stupid idea. I have done over 40 floors as part of my remodeling business and have great success but am not sure if this is possible or not. The floor is level, no cracks or problems, so in theory I could tile right over the top. Ok let the wisecracks begin but really is this possible or better yet, anyone ever try it? LOL Thanks for comments on both and this long winded topic, CER

platinumLLC

What is his reasoning for not wanting to tear out the old tile? I have heard about others that have gone over ceramic tile before, not sure about slate. I would personally never go over tile with new tile. I would sell him on tearing out the old and explain the benefits of being able to inspect what's under the tile and start fresh so you know for a fact that your install is done right and going to last a lifetime. Just my opinion.

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neolitic

It's an entryway, right?
What happens at the door
if you raise the floor?

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WarnerConstInc.

Dang it Neo, I was looking forward to another, How do I get the door to open thread.

You Spoiled That!!

floorman1

I have tiled over a slate floor 1 time b4 with vct.It was in excellent condition and all i had to do was to explain to the owner that the door would have to be cut and that a new threshold would have to be placed to make the transition .
I use ardex at approximately 1/4 inch thickness to level and provide the new surface for the vct.Any wax,or what have you on the slate MUST be removed,there are products for this.
Everything worked smoothly and actually the floor is still there today,it has been about 14 yrs since i did this floor thru blakelys custom floors.
Glad to hear from someone in beech grove,thats where my daughter is at currently.
If the slate is flaking or coming apart i think i would seal it with a thin coat of some good epoxy first as a precaution.
AND OF COURSE THE HOMEOWNER MUST BE AWARE THAT NO MANUFACTURER IS GOING TO COVER A WARRANTY OVER SLATE OR CERAMIC ETC.THAT MUST BE EXPLAINED FULLY TO THE HOMEOWNER.
AFTER EXPLAING THAT,IF THE HOMEOWNER AGREES THEN PROCEED.
Hopefully the customer on your job will see that it would benefit them and produce and higher quality job if the slate is removed tho.
Good luck on this job.

I wont bother you with how or why,if thats what the homeowner wants then theres nothing you can do but do the job or walk away.

neolitic

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neolitic

Did you work for Blakley's when
"Pam" was a sales person?
Too bad she's not there anymore.

After my last two jobs with them,
it'll be a cold day in hell before there's
another.

Where are you?

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R&D Tile

Rip up the slate or walk away, whatever you say, YOU'LL be responsible when it fails by going over the old floor.

I won't even comment on the ideas given.

CER

Everone gets a customer with a different point of view thats hard to correct with tried and true technique and I am like everyone, I do what works for me from experience so it will last. But hey if they want to do it there way just sign this here waiver!! Thanks for the comments and all your advice is usually what I do but just for a personal question I was curious about the tile over. Thanks, CER

kevjob

you can have them sign all day long, ultimately when this goes to court your will be reponsible.

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TileLady

Any existing tile should come up. Period. I've had many customers ask me if I could tile over their existing tile. I can only imagine they're trying to save money or don't want the noise or dust or something. Just ask them why they don't want the tile pulled up and address their concerns. You're the professional. That's why they're hiring you right? Customers can be very ill informed and you must educate them.

Floordude

It depends how your waiver of liability is written.

In the waiver you have to be very specific about what has been asked of you. You then need to write the specifications pertaining to what they wish for you to do, against the grain, so to speak. Then you explain what is going to happen to the project after it is completed in that manner. Then in bold capital letters... THIS IS MEANT TO ONLY BE A TEMPORARY INSTALLATION. All temporary installations are done with the understanding that a full and complete replacement or correction to the customer's satisfaction is eminent. Any and all additional time and labor incurred, as a result, you will be billed for the additional labor as per our most recent price list.

Every time I present this waiver, the change order appears!!

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ian@prosource

pull the slate up or just walk away, why create more problems for yourself,

if you go over the slate, the slate can draw the moisture out of your adhesive/ smothing compound, this will weeken the bond and lead to possible failure at a later date,

sure you can seal the slate but the seal will just flake off at some time in the future along with the new covering you laid.

do it right or not at all that way you protect your name

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jimmys

How big a job can an entry be? It's not worth what you'd make. If it's a small part of a bigger job you're already doing, that's different.
How about bringing in a tile subcontractor and let HIM say no. What the heck, bring in three! That takes you off the hook and if a tile guy agrees to do the job, let him contract with the HO himself. You look good and lose no money. That's a good day these days.
Jim

Longghairr

For one, slate shales. for two, is the slate actually adhered to the floor, for three, painting it would be something I would like to see and hear from you later, as to actually did it work. Four, Hardi-Backer, slate. thinset or mud, buy these guy's a step ladder for the front door. Tear out is the solution. Over 30 yrs experience here. Tear it out or leave it alone. Only tile on tile if there is room and you know you were the one that installed the existing floor. Most floors on slab now days are not stuck. Tile doesn't fall up. Old school. Acid etch all concrete slab before any application. When you are doing slab granite on the slab, you want to make sure it's stuck. Food for thouight.

Snood

I'll speak for myself. I'd perform unspecified acts on other men before I'd go back.

Fellow Grover here. Small world.