Tile Over Tile?

ak_aiken

I have a situation where a designer wants me to install new tile over existing tile, which I have never done and don't feel really comfortable with. From the surface the existing tile appears to have been installed well. All of the tiles are glazed, they are setting pretty flat and in plane with each other, no cracked tiles or grout lines, and has been installed for about 10 years. As for existing substrate the previous tile setter installed directly over the plywood subfloor which measures approximately 11/16" thick and is installed on 16" centers, (I have never installed over plywood myself having allways used hardiboard). Would any of you who are more experienced with installing over plywood feel comfortable with this situation?

My gut feeling of course is to tear it out, but in trying to keep the homeowner and designers happy I was considering checking out products from Laticrete and Ardex to see if one of their reps were to approve the installation using all of their products, thus giving there complete system warranty. Any help or suggestions is appreciated.

Thanks
Adam

rbsremodeling

Dont do it

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genecarp

i have had this situation in the past, there are products that will do the job, 99% of my tile or stone jobs are mud jobs, that being said, if a customer wants this done, and are assuming the risks, one of which is the original tile floor letting go, then go for it

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SelfContract

Customer is GOD!... Grant their wish BUT sign a contract clearly stated "you are NOT responsible for ... etc." on those customer's instructions, risk assumption & unrealistic tile settings, etc... to cover your ass. Take money, perform work, and run! (who care!?)

send_it_all

The customer didn't demand that the new tile be set over old, it was the designer. He/she is probably trying to be a hero and get the job done on the customer's budget. I'm gonna guess that the customer just wants a tile floor that will last a lifetime.

At the very least, you should explain that the existing floor was set on an inadequate substrate and adding tile to that won't help matters.

angus242

That's not such good advice. Here's a post from Bill Vincent that sums up why that is a BAD idea:

SelfContract

Yes agree, if there are ALREADY similar court cases won, then I say --WALK!! (Note: If the designer want it, then designer SIGN/aware any agreement with HOs, NOT you!)

Norrrrrrrrrrrrm

Would it be out of the question to get a jackhammer drill and bust the old tile up? If it is over plywood it should not be too hard with the right tools. Depending on size I would think around $500 bucks to do the demo.If they are hiring a designer, I think they can afford to the job correctly!

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Norman Sharp
http://www.sharpimprovements.com

ak_aiken

The more that I think about the situation, I keep coming back to the fact that I would never have done the project originally the way that it is done. Why would I stick my neck out and install over a floor that I wouldn't have done in that manner to start with. By the time that Labor and the more expensive materails would be used to go over the tile, I don't think that removing and starting over fresh would be that out of line from a price standpoint.

My concern at that point would be if I could get the plywood floor cleen enough to install backer board without creating waves or bumps in the floor.

ak_aiken

Well I heard back from both Ardex and Laticrete and the answer from both of them was not to go over the existing situation, no surprise. I have explained the situation to the designer and am now waiting to see if the homeowner will agree to the additional demolition costs or not. We'll see.