While you can lay tile directly over a concrete slab using thin-set adhesive, don’t make the mistake of applying tile directly to a plywood subfloor. The long side of the tubs are concrete block walls seperating the apts. • DensShield Tile Backer is not to be used in shower curbs. You can install tile over concrete, but it’s not recommended. The ideal method for installing peel-and-stick vinyl tiles over concrete is to first lay plywood over the concrete.The tiles will adhere more readily to plywood than to concrete.Cover the concrete with 1/4-inch plywood and secure it with 1 1/4-inch underlayment nails. Solid concrete base with suitable adhesive and grout; Suitable for patios and driveways; Narrow joints can be achieved with rectified tiles The same floor patch you would use on wood floors should also work for concrete. Laying tile in a small area can be a do-it-yourself project. Why? Step 4: Continue placing the tiles. remove all tiles, adhesive and scrap away any loose plaster or unwanted material from the wall with a blade scrapper. Tiles can be applied directly to a clean, smooth concrete slab with a latex Portland cement mortar. Mortar solutions. When it’s ready, unroll your vinyl flooring and cut to size after measuring your room. "Can I install tile directly to a previously stained concrete floor? While tile can be laid on plywood, do not install tile directly onto the plywood subfloor itself. A couple of weeks later we noticed water seeping up. Can the tiles be laid directly on rooftops covered with a composite or, Ground Level Deck - Decks.comMany composite manufacturers require ventilation below their decking products, and , Some builders build ground level decks directly on top of existing concrete patios using sleepers. If water is allowed to pass through concrete, a chemical reaction can occur and ruin the vinyl tile flooring. Cancel. Start by sweeping your concrete floor to get rid of all dust and debris. In the simplest of terms, the Rock-Tite™ Exterior Porcelain & Stone System is a bundle of three specially formulated products designed to be used together in order to install 20mm thick porcelain outdoor slab tiles directly onto a hardcore base, saving you the hassle of creating and waiting around for week or so for a concrete screed to dry. As background, there are 3 ways to install hardwood floors (from best to worst): 1 Nail down – requires plywood sub-flloor (you can’t nail into concrete…last I checked) 2. I fear the thinset mortar will not adhere to the stained concrete." Active 9 years, 7 months ago. You can test for moisture by taping all four sides of 18-by-18-inch polyurethane plastic on the slab. If you are laying this directly on concrete, however, it is recommended to use a 6 mil poly vapor barrier for additional moisture protection and to make the flooring a little softer as well. I suggest painting the walls with Redgard, a sort of paintable rubber. Every carpeted area in the main floor of our house is done with spacing under the base where carpet is tucked in. Generally speaking you don't what to install tile over a concrete slab that has a hydrostatic water problem unless it is remediated first. To install peel-and-stick vinyl directly onto a concrete sub-floor, the concrete must be primed. All of the movement in concrete is transferred to the tile. A: It's perfectly acceptable to put tile directly on concrete — with a couple of caveats. Once you have these under control, you are set for success. If the number shown from the test is not high, you can start with your project and lay the tiles directly on the concrete floor. First of all, you need to use a half-inch cement backer board, and install it directly over the vinyl, and use a thin-set adhesive to glue it down. The groundwater that is pushing from below can crack it. Step 2: Apply thin set mortar. They are also entirely resistant to stains, mould and moss, meaning their finish will remain as beautiful as the day it was laid. No matter what you’re told at a home center, it’s not a good idea to install tile directly over plywood, especially in a damp area like a bathroom. Viewed 8k times 8. To properly install tile over concrete the bathroom slab floor needs to be smooth and level. Cover the concrete with 1/4-inch plywood and secure it with 1 1/4-inch underlayment nails. Cracking is a possibility if the tile is bonded directly to concrete. You can buy the sugar soap and a sponge from our tools area at the base of the page. 86-21-61182468. Cracks in the concrete eventually will lead to cracks in the tile because the concrete at the point of the crack won't be able to support the tile. To properly install tile over concrete, you will need to start off with a sturdy flooring cover. The carpet tiles are very easy to install (get the peel and stick kind; the kind where you have to use a … If you have a concrete floor that is completely smooth and flat, as determined using a spirit-level, you could get away with applying the tiles directly onto the concrete slab. Pros: If there is a flood, tile dries out quickly with no damage and it will never rot. After you have a clean concrete slab you can grind down high spots and you can flatten or level the surface by using a patching mortar for tile installations. Test thinset for bonding to concrete; Teresa Norrell, from Moyock, NC, has a pretty simple question. Use a leveling compound to ensure there are no high spots or dips in the sub-floor then sand the leveling compound smooth before applying the primer. In addition to this, tile can not properly adhere to wood the way it does to concrete. Ceramic tile is a finished surface that can be installed directly onto the concrete slab. While you cannot put composite decking directly on your grass or dirt, you can easily prepare your yard for deck tiles. Prepare the concrete. If you discovered any defects on the floor, fill them with a concrete patch or self-leveling compound to achieve a flat surface that’s ready to receive ceramic tiles. If the concrete around your house has become an eyesore, it is possible to improve your yard without tearing it out. So what's the minimum prep I can get away with to re-do this floor? When placed over steps, it can shift and move underneath your foot, creating a potentially dangerous safety hazard. You can definitely put tiles right on the concrete wall. Install the tile on a mortar bed set over a cleavage membrane. The basement is dry and level. However, some people prefer to add another thin layer of subflooring between the concrete and vinyl. Furthermore, if you are installing luxury vinyl tile directly over a concrete floor, a waterproof underlayment is essential. It’s best to allow an extra 15cm, just to be on the safe side. However, make sure that the surface is smooth and flat before doing anything. Just wondering if it's overkill or if there is a problem going right onto the block itself. However, concrete does not respond well to foundation shifts. An underlayment membrane helps prevent the transfer of cracks. Ask Question Asked 9 years, 7 months ago. Step 6: Apply the Grout. Add and press the grout until all joints are filled and remove the excess. Large cracks and expansion joints should be filled and troweled smooth. To properly install tile over concrete the bathroom slab floor needs to be smooth and level. Any cracks in the surface of the slab need to be repaired before you begin as well. If the cracks are too deep or create a difference of more than 1 inch on the surface of the slab,... The groundwater that is pushing from below can crack it. 2. Outdoor flooring on dirt: installation tips. Then you can adhere the tile to it. The notch trowel size depends on the tile type and size. If you are using carpet tile, do not put padding underneath. Floating floors are a type of flooring material that isn’t directly glued to the subfloor, with laminate flooring and loose-lay vinyl flooring being proper examples. Laying down tiles on a concrete wall is not much different than laying tiles on drywall. Prime wall with BAL primer SBR (Or an equivilent) Allow to dry and tile as normal. If you have some experience with installing flooring or are DIY hobbyist, it shouldn't take you more than a day to install vinyl plank flooring on concrete. 9. Seal the grout. Once you have polished the remaining grout and mortar residue off of the floor and you are confident that the grout has fully cu... So if you are planning on tiling over concrete, now you know what to use and how to do it. If you are laying NuCore Performance Rigid Core Luxury Vinyl Plank on existing tile or glued in hardwood, you do not need to use additional underlayment. Thanks! The other is foam backer board which is OK to install over concrete. Reaction score 505. Can I install tiles directly over a concrete floor in my basement? Suzann on Dec 17, 2017. A crack in the slab can transfer to the tile you've just installed. Ensure you are using a polymer modified cement-based adhesive that is suitable for external use. Glue down – engineered hardwoods can be glued (note: solid hardwood can not be glued (except for bamboo)) 3. Install DensShield Tile Backer on walls according to assembly DS001. You paint the floor, too. Because plywood expands and contracts beneath the ceramic tile, grout and tile failure (loose tiles and cracked, crumbling grout) is just a matter of time. On the last one I used thinset to adhere hardibacker to it and then used some small concrete nails carpet layers use to get it to stay up while the thinset dried. However, concrete does not respond well to foundation shifts. If there is an indication that there is high moisture or shrinkage cracks in the slab install a … Choose Your Tile Adhesive. As you don’t have to install underlay for Vinyl Flooring or LVT, this can go directly onto the concrete subfloor. However, these slabs can crack over time and when and where is anyone’s guess - especially on new floors. May 9, 2012 #2 Yes you can. A. AliGage TF. Install the tile over a crack isolation membrane. Cover both the brick and the tile with mortar before applying the tile to the wall. Sugar soap is best used with warm water. Like any tile or stone installation, it is important to get to know both the material and the substrate you are installing it on. As a result, the grout lines and the tiles themselves can crack and become damaged. How much does it cost to level a floor? Arms. Our experts share with you here the recommended Installation materials and guidelines to install Saltillo tile floor. As long as the concrete slab is clean, flat, and free of active cracks, you can lay title directly on the concrete floor using thin-set adhesive. The slightly modified is good for the OSB install (since it permits the air necessary for it to dry), but invalidates the warranty if you do it between the ditra and tile. ; Check for complete coverage of thin-set mortar by pulling up one tile -- it should cover at least 80% of the back of the tile. We are redoing our basement. Hydrostatic water pressure is when water from a source higher than the slab is subjecting the slab to water pressure that results in water literally migrating to … No matter how firm the subfloor; the plywood will expand and contract at a different rate as the tile, causing cracks to develop in the grout lines or tiles … Step 5: Apply the Sealer. Lay the tile in the adhesive while it's still wet. I have tiled three small bathrooms and a large kitchen by laying the ceramic tile directly on linoleum. What You Need to Know Before Laying Tile on Concrete. Although you don’t need to install an underlayment between the concrete and the tile, you need to prepare the surface before placing the tile. You may also use floor tiles on a concrete wall if you don't like to use wall tiles. Guide to Installing Tile Over Concrete Slabs. Depending on what you want and the extent of your leveling job, floor leveling can cost as little as $2 per square foot or as much as $30. Hi, we had vinyls plank flooring installed directly over concrete in our basement. 6. Clean the area. Wash the tiles off with a damp rag as you go to prevent clumps of mortar from drying on the surface. As you get to the end of th... Floating floorboards are designed to stay in place through their tongue-and-groove or click-and-lock construction designs that facilitate interlocking between adjacent planks. To do this, … Cracking can also occur from improperly installed wood subfloors. The kitchen ceramic tile is ugly, hard underfoot, and I hates it. The good news is that if your sub flooring is thick enough you can lay the tile directly over the vinyl, just follow the instructions for installing with a concrete sub floor. 8. Clean up. Once the grout is completely dry, take a wet rag and wash the surface of the entire floor. As the floor dries, you will probably notic... If you take the time to level the floor, install a membrane and layout your tile properly, you can improve the look of a concrete … Vinyl Tile; If your concrete is uneven, vinyl tile is a good option. After cleaning, patching, and repairing the concrete floor, you’ll be ready to seal … Installing tiles on concrete subfloor requires plenty of preparation, but it can be done without a contractor. The tiles will adhere more readily to plywood than to concrete. Because of this, you must install a membrane between the tile and the OSB subfloor so that the thin-set has something that it can easily bond with. Seems odd. Dear Susan: It's perfectly acceptable to put tile directly on concrete – with a couple of caveats. However, we used a stone tile (which is porous) and gave it 14 days cure time before grouting. Caitlin. If you’re going to install tiles in wet areas such as bathrooms and balconies, you need to apply a waterproofing membrane or paint first. A number of questions should be asked prior to selecting the best material for that application when install directly over concrete floors. When the tile is laid on top of a plywood subfloor, the plywood will expand over the years. However, when it comes to installation, you cannot install the tile directly to the surface of the OSB subfloor as thin-set will not bond properly to the resin that is used to hold OSB together. Here's my answer: Teresa, I don't think you… On a solid base you can install rectified porcelain paving with a narrow joint for a semi-seamless finish. This additional layer can improve insulation and should make your vinyl plank flooring warmer and less resonant. A copolymer resin primer is recommended for sealing and waterproofing the concrete. Step 3 - Measure the Room Can we install tile directly over the concrete, or does it need some kind of backing? If you’re in the market for a long-lasting, low-maintenance, attractive outdoor deck, look no further. Clean. This is because cracks naturally occur as water in the concrete substrate evaporates. These shrinkage cracks can transfer from the substrate and into the bonded tile. Attempting to install directly to the rough concrete without preparation will lead to cracked and broken tiles, as well as failure of the tile to bond with the surface. Can I tile directly onto the concrete wall? “There is nothing wrong with tile laid directly on concrete providing all precautions are taken regarding moisture proofing,” he says. LVT can be installed directly over concrete, but the concrete must be at least six weeks old, proven to be dry, and free of powder and flaking. If the levels are too high, you will need to de-moisturize the floor before installing the tiles. You may install the tiles on the surface directly without the need for cement boards. First, it is important to determine if there is moisture coming up from the slab. It can go directly down on top of the concrete slab. The other reason is when installing under the counter appliances, the floor in the appliance space needs to be the same level as the flooring. The jobs were successful and have lasted for fifteen years even though I … However, if you're building a shower, it's critically important that you have a waterproof membrane separating the finish materials (tile) from the structure (concrete walls and cement backboard on any framed walls you build). The concrete floor has cracks in it. Even a small powder room, entry area or mudroom can be a lot of work if you’re going to be tackling it alone or with the help of friends and family members. First, it is important to determine if there is moisture coming up from the slab. If concrete is porous, clean, even and in structurally sound condition, you can set tile directly over it. I've never worked with tile before, so apologies in advance if this is a dumb question. Place ceramic tile onto a level surface to avoid problems with binding and to create a smooth tiled surface. On the bright side, there are some options for concrete subfloors. How to tile a concrete floor to lay a tile floor on concrete diy guide on how to install floor tile Because it is completely man-made, vinyl tile comes in virtually any color and pattern you can imagine. Do I really need paver base? With Advantage Deck Tiles™ you can give your outdoor living space a new look in just under a day at a fraction of the cost of building a new deck. Therefore, it's better to use an adhesive to keep the rubber flooring in place. Concrete is good for outdoor space, but like other home structures, it can crack or tear. Pavers Over Concrete, Yes or No? November 9, 2019 at 5:58 pm. Note: Shower pan or rubber membrane must be adequately sloped to the open drain or weep hole detail to permit proper water drainage. There are a couple of options here depending on the type of decorative finish you require and the design of slab. 1) A slab support can be used underneath the concrete slabs placed directly on the EPDM rubber membrane. No painting or staining is required.Pest control, anti-moth, various colors to choose from, embodied with wood sense and wood texture, color can also be customized as clients require. The first thing to decide is how you'll be using your space. In both cases, the membrane acts as a barrier between the tile and the concrete which lessens the likelihood of the crack coming up through the surface. Apply thin-set adhesive directly to the existing vinyl floor. The tile saw can be used to create a custom-size sponge, ideal for getting into corners like this one where the floor meets the wall. Vinyl tiles can be installed directly on the concrete, or with a felt underpayment. Press the tile in place and make sure that the joints are kept even. When you place carpet directly over concrete, you need to be concerned with four main things: preparing a smooth surface, controlling moisture, choosing the right type of carpet, and securing it properly. This means the carpet would be installed next to the base. 1. Prepare the concrete. Using an acid based cleaner or deep cleaner of your choice, clean the concrete and allow it to dry thoroughly. Examine the... PRO Tips. In some areas (bathroom and laundry room) I plan on putting tile down. The Cost. The concrete should be properly cured, be level to 1/4 inch in 10 feet, and have a steel trowel or fine broom finish. One of which is self-leveling underlayment and other floor flattening products. It is one of the cheapest solutions, and at the time of writing it could set you back just a few hundred bucks, depending on the size of the area you … Set a second row of tiles in the same manner. To patch cracks, fill gaps, smooth surfaces, or to follow sloped surfaces allowing for water runoff, use SpeedFinish™ Patching & Finishing Compound Step 2. In this concrete floor video, industry expert Bob Harris shows the steps for installing a new concrete floor over an existing tile floor. Clean away any oozing adhesive on the face of the tiles as you … The bathroom we are finishing is in the basement of our house, and the floor is concrete. Tags: None. Let’s take a closer look at each of these. QUESTION: I’m about to install ceramic tile on a concrete floor of a 40-year-old house. While rolled rubber flooring is perfect for flat concrete slabs, it must be glued down if you are installing it over concrete steps. resistant and suitable for sub-zero temperatures means that these tiles can be used for driveways and walkways, as well as for swimming pools surrounds and hard landscaping. A piece of well-installed carpet can clean up a cold slab of concrete. If you want to install tile directly on the concrete floor, ensure that the floor is in good condition. Large tile require a deeper thin-set bed to make up for the minor adjustments in flatness of floor and tile. Today he told me I should install my baseboards directly on the floor in my basement rather than leaving spacing for carpet to be installed under it. Small cracks caused by shrinkage usually do not present a problem; but larger cracks, especially those that are higher on one side than the other, may telegraph through the tile and cause it to crack. It is better to assume that your concrete, at some point in its lifespan, may crack. The ideal method for installing peel-and-stick vinyl tiles over concrete is to first lay plywood over the concrete. Tiles can be applied directly to a clean, smooth concrete slab with a latex Portland cement mortar. If installing over larger cracks, you must consider removing the concrete section and pouring a new concrete slab. The concrete floor has cracks in it. Even if you’re DIY-minded, updating your kitchen, family room or a bathroom can be a large project to embark on. Installing a new floor can be a big do-it-yourself task. If it continues, you may have to remove the tiles, install a moisture barrier and/or fix the concrete or leak and install a floating floor with a moisture barrier. You can definitely put tiles right on the concrete wall. All of the movement in concrete is transferred to the tile. 5. Install the tiles. Lay the tiles into the mortar and using the spacers, make sure you are running even with the chalk line. As you move on to th... A: Although it’s possible to install vinyl flooring directly on concrete, it’s not a great idea. Correspondingly, can you tile directly onto plywood? IF I can talk my boyfriend into Marmoleum, he won't want to rip up all the tile (which is in good shape) and he'll want to do as little work on it as possible. We also carry foam tiles products with carpeted surfaces. All of the movement in concrete is transferred to the tile. When you get to a wall, you are going to need to cut the tile in order to fit. Lay the tile directly on the concrete Yes, writes Doug McEvers, Ditra will insulate the concrete slab from the tile and lower the potential for thermal storage. Yes, you can install ceramic tile directly over vinyl flooring if you are on a concrete slab. Hi, another bathroom tile question. You create a long lasting, personal and artistically designed deck.Unlike wood, your Seven Trust WPC deck will always look like new and attractive. I recently installed tile on a bathroom floor that was wood on wood with no vinyl. 2. Seal and level the concrete. Once your repairs have dried, take the time to seal the concrete. Once the sealer has dried, apply the concrete pat... John. Guide to Installing Tile Over Concrete Slabs. There are four simple principles to help you prepare concrete floor for tile installation: clean, dry, patch, and level. For cracks, less than 1/8 inch, use crack suppression products. In South Florida, most homes are built on concrete slabs that you can technically install tile over. You would need to first take several precautions since installing tile directly over concrete can lead to the tile cracking and other potential problems. 4. Mix the mortar. After you have decided where you want to begin, follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer and begin to mix the mortar... Laying tile over vinyl flooring on a concrete subfloor: Check to make sure the vinyl is in good condition and firmly glued to the concrete subfloor. Can I tile directly onto the block? This test checks the amount of moisture and water that comes up from the concrete base. Leave a 1⁄89 (3 mm) gap between DensShield Tile Backer and the shower pan. (I've had sheet Marmoleum before, and LOVED it, but it was a professional install on a new subfloor.) Yes it is possible to install slabs or tiles on top of an EPDM flat roof. Installed as tiles, planks or panels, stone veneer can be used to create fireplace surrounds, backsplashes, accent wall installations or tub surrounds in the bath. This is a DIY endeavor and I don’t have the extra money to install the expensive membrane that I should use. While you can install tile directly on concrete, problems erupt when the concrete cracks or shifts. It is not meant to do that, and will not stick properly. Click to see full answer And you won’t have the fasteners if you are trying to install it over concrete. Cutting to Fit. Learn a unique and time-saving way to apply ceramic tile directly on top of vinyl flooring. If you’re going to install tiles in wet areas such as bathrooms and balconies, you need to apply a waterproofing membrane or paint first. This will protect any possible leaks on the wall and flooring. The next step is to apply a concrete sealer on the floor surface. Allow the mortar to set before applying the grout. Continue setting tiles in this manner along one line until you have completed one row. Conclusion. Step 3: Place the first tile. Cracks in concrete immediately become cracks in the tile. You can install composite decking directly on concrete, most especially if the concrete is old and needs replacement. Once you have chosen your tiles and your loose joints are raked out properly you can look to start tiling. Q: Can I install vinyl flooring directly on top of a concrete basement floor? ; Grouting. , You can lay 2x6 sleepers on top of the concrete slab. Then clean with a wet mop of plain water. For a recreational area or a kids play room, you may wish to consider a foam flooring product. Guest #2. Even out and compact the level of the resting layer (sand or gravel) Lay the sheet on the bed of gravel or sand, maintaining a minimum gap of 1 cm or wider (Japanese spacing) Use a rubber hammer to eliminate any unevenness. 3. Plan the tile layout. Before installing the tile it is a good idea to lay out your design. Pre-plan which and how many pieces of tile have to be... It is not always necessary to put down a foundation, but it is generally recommended, especially if the ground is not solid or even. The bond of the flooring to the subfloor is only as good as what you bond to. It also needs to be free of solvent, wax, grease, oil, paint and any other sealing compounds. You have to make sure that the linoleum is not loose or the tile will not stay. While you can install tile directly on concrete, problems erupt when the concrete cracks or shifts. This is what a lot of pros that use Schluter products do, and they warranty the work themselves. If you’re wondering whether or not you can lay tile directly on a plywood subfloor, the answer is no. But if you are on a wooden subfloor like we are here, you’ll need to take an extra step. It is better to assume that your concrete, at some point in its lifespan, may crack. You could be raising the transition an inch or more and that could become a trip hazard. Installing ceramic tiles over concrete can help to create a more inviting indoor or outdoor living space. 3 Answers3. However, allow 24 hours for your flooring to acclimatise by leaving it out of its packaging. The concrete should be properly cured, be level to 1/4 inch in 10 feet, and have a steel trowel or fine broom finish. If you bond to old paint, sealers, polish, or other foreign matter, you are dependent upon the bond of that material to the subfloor to hold the flooring in place. This is an optional step, but can really benefit your tile installation in the long run. A concrete sealer prevents moisture from staying underneath the ceramic tiles. It will also provide a stronger adhesion between mortar and concrete. Okay, so you’ve prepared the concrete subfloor before installing the ceramic tiles. Now what? It can also allow mold to grow beneath the flooring, which can create bad odors and even cause health problems. Step 1: Clean-off the tile and the floor. Use sugar soap to clean down walls and remove greasy marks and residue from your walls. Reply. 7. Apply grout. Mix the grout as specified on the package and begin liberally spreading it over the tile using the grout float. Use the float to ma... So technically, if you are installing vinyl plank flooring onto concrete you already have a subfloor. Apply the Sealer. Once the tiles are thoroughly dry, any remaining haze is removed with a soft cloth. Thank you very much for your help. Setting Tile.