Ceramic Over Ceramic?

Two Brothers

I have a customer that has tile down on a concrete slab.
I would like to avoid demo.
Can I tile over the existing tile?
and what prep steps should i take?

Please help

Demal

I wouldnt. Just demo it.

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Rich Turley

Tile can go over tile. Just be sure that there are no issues going on such as cracks, loose or missing tiles, flakin grout etc. It has to be sound and in good condition or don't even consider it.


Rich

Floorwizard

Absolutely it can be done.
One recommendation against it would be that if anything happens to the first layer, it will affect the second.
Best to have a fresh low liable start eh?

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"in 20 years you will regret more what you did not do than what you did"

Norrrrrrrrrrrrm

It can be done but I avoid it if I can. I have done it once a few years ago and the floor is still solid. One recommendation is that you should scuff the first layer with a sander so your adhesive will grab better. You should be fine.

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Norman Sharp
http://www.sharpimprovements.com

recruit4meisner

I've done it several times with no problems. Even done marble over ceramic too. It's all good.

akraus88

Sure, It can be done, but as previously stated the tiles underneath must be solid and no loose tiles, If the tile underneath is very glossy then I wouldn't do it.

silvertree

Done it a few times over the years and no problems.

MattCoops

I would do it as a last resort.
If it was more than 300 sq ft and I was too lazy to rip it up than we may tile over.

But the TCA approves this method so long as the tile is free of cracks and structurally sound. Take a golf ball and ping it off some of the tiles. If you hear any hollow noises, don't do it.

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Matt with Cupan Custom Tile & Paint of Lowell, Massachusetts
Design and installation of ceramic tile and natural stone for floor, wall, and countertops
(978) 601-8774 | cupantile@gmail.com | view tile pictures and more

floorinstall

i've done it too. But before I did I went over the tile with a 12 grit disc on my buffer and primed and level qwicked the floor. That was about 6 years ago. Far as I know no problems.

woodbutchr

How about on a Shower ceiling? Tile looks & sounds solid.

plazaman

we've done a few times, all depends on the situation, demo all if possible...

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Westchester Remodeling Contractor
Hartsdale Remodeling Contractor
Ardsley Remodeling Contractor

jarvis design

I don't think I'd stand under that tile!!

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Bathrooms Built for Life.
www.JarvisDesignBuild.com
519-495-4062

PrecisionFloors

Why not? Have you seen some of the shear bond strengths of good modified thinsets? As long as the first layer is tight and sound, it'd be no different than tiling over sheet rock or cbu.

http://www.fcimag.com/Articles/Featu...00f932a8c0____

http://www.reedconstructiondata.com/...1_SD_23381.pdf

Anywhere from 450-600 psi.....it ain't goin nowhere

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Precision Flooring
(772) 237-9900
Tile, Hardwood, Laminate, and Resilient
Installation, Sales & Repair - "We do it right the FIRST time"

woodbutchr

I'm not fond of the idea myself but I'm also not fond of tearing out the ceiling with blown in insulation above it.

Mellison

X 2
I would take a broom stick (without the broom) and poke the floor throughout and listen for a Hollow or loose sound when the pole hits the floor. If there are a few loose spote just remove the tile and fill with thinset.

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"Enjoy Every Sandwich" Warren Zevon

jarvis design

Yah, I hear ya, blown in insulation blows!! Still, the vast majority of my jobs are complete demos - and something just doesn't feel right about tiling a ceiling over existing tile.

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Bathrooms Built for Life.
www.JarvisDesignBuild.com
519-495-4062

PrecisionFloors

Awww c'mon man don't be skeered..

Now tiling over an existing pan scares the hell outta me ...I don't care that it has "never leaked"...nope ain't gonna do it.

Almost all of mine are torn down to the studs too...just supporting that it can be done and you can still sleep at night. (a ceiling that is)

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Precision Flooring
(772) 237-9900
Tile, Hardwood, Laminate, and Resilient
Installation, Sales & Repair - "We do it right the FIRST time"

Floorwizard

Sure have, but how does someone guarantee the original bond strength without a shadow of a doubt.
Plus we are forgetting that new adhesive can sometimes "pull" when curing.....
I have seen Vinyl down with no bubbles after 25 years....we lay a new sheet over the top and the new adhesive "pulls" the Vinyl up......rare...but happens....

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"in 20 years you will regret more what you did not do than what you did"

trptman

Can't add much to the discussion that hasn't been said except don't forget the obvious. It's easy to do when you're wrapped up in a project.

If you add another layer of tile make sure it doesnt create any clearance problems with doors or anything of that sort.