askjake

Level a floor for tile

Jake asks:

I'm remodeling my bathroom and had to replace 2/3 of old plywood sub-floor. The floor is still not level. My wife wants ceramic tile. I bought the tile and cement board. Do I need to use self leveling cement to make it right before starting?

Jake's answer: 

Jake,

There are two ways to level your floor.

One way is to shim the plywood as you are installing it.  You can add shims to the existing sub floor or add shims on top of the joists if they are exposed.

The other way is to use self leveling products that can be mixed and poured.  This product can be more expensive but works very nicely. You can check out a product that can self level at Quikrete.com. I hope your wife is happy with the finished product. 

Remove cabinets before tiling?

Terry asks: 

I'm going to tile my kitchen floor. Should I remove all the base cabinets prior to tile install?

Jake's answer: 

Terry, Unless you want to make for a lot of extra work for yourself, I would not recommend removing all of the base cabinets. You can put down a backer board like Durock, then install the tile. Be aware of the dishwasher and trash compactor, if you have them. Since you will be adding around ¾” height to your floor, the clearance for these appliances will be affected.

Tile color change

Question from Ron: 

We have granite tile around the fireplace, would like to change the color - is there a way to cover it, either by painting or gluing another tile on top?

Jake's Answer: 

Ron,

We have never painted granite tile.  I would be reluctant to paint granite, especially around the fireplace. We have installed tile over tile.  Sand the existing tile and install tile like you normally would.  If the existing granite is in good shape and firmly set, you should have a nice finished product. 

Cabinets or tile first?

Question from Shannon: 

I am rebuilding my kitchen and putting new cabinets and floor tile in. The question I have is, should I put tile down on the floor under my cabinets before I install new counters or install the cabinets then put down on the floor up to the cabinets? 

Jake's answer: 

Shannon, 

When installing tile in a kitchen, I would set the cabinets and then I would install the tile. Install the backer board before you install the cabinets and make certain to place the cabinets on blocks of wood equal to the height of the tile. This will allow you to install the dishwasher and it will maintain the proper height from the tile floor to the counter top.

Installing granite over ceramic tile

Question from Mike: 

Jake - Can granite be installed over ceramic tile? My wife and I are updating a bathroom and the bathtub is in an enclosure that is covered with ceramic tile. At the backwall of the tub there is less than 2" of clearence from the outside wall which includes a picture window. Removing the tub and tile is one option, but if the tile can be covered with granite tile it would be much simpler and significantly less expensive. So is it possible to do and have a quality final product? 

Jake's Answer:

Mike, 

Yes, you can install granite tile over ceramic tile. You could “ruff” up the existing tile and install the granite with a mortar based adhesive. Another method would be to use a backer board, approximately ¼” thick, over the ceramic tile and then install the granite over this board. Depending on how level your existing ceramic tile is, you might want to install a backer board. You can find out information about these backer boards at usg.com or jameshardie.com.

Tiling over linoleum

Question from Kelsey: 

I'm tiling a bathroom floor with existing linoleum, the house was built in 2001. The existing flooring is in great shape, just want to upgrade to sell the house. Do I need to remove the linoleum before installing the ceramic tiles? If so, what is the best way to do this? Is a cement adhesive the best for a bathroom, if so, which one works well for cheap? Also, what is the best way to cut 90 degree outside angle cuts? Any other info would be greatly appreciated. 

Thanks jake,,,, lets see what you come up with!! 

Thanks, 

kelsey

Jakes' answer:

Kelsey, 

Yes, you can install ceramic or any kind of hard tile over the linoleum (most likely vinyl) floor. First you must install a cement type board or Hardie backer board. These boards provide for a stable underlayment for the tile. Check them out at the links I provided. These links will also provide instructions on how to install them. For floor adhesives you can try products from Laticrete. They have performed well for us. The easiest way to cut tile is with a powered tile cutter tool. The saw is mounted on a track over a tub and it is a wet cut operation. Most tool rental shops will have a saw like this that you can rent. Good luck with your project.

Tile problems

Question from Steffie: If I had asbestos tile and mastic professionally removed in a below grade floor (concrete)and the remediators said they use something to clean off the stuff they use to remove the mastic -- then why are some of my new Metroflor vinyl tiles coming up? Tile guy came back and did whatever and since it was snowing hard and he wanted to get out of here I did not really get a chance to look at it closely. I did later on in the day and found areas "glued" together with caulking that does not even match the tile and the rest that had a problem were still not adhered to the floor. It is not only corners but mid way along the edge of the tile also. That happened on ones that the corners were intact also. The caulking has to go except on a couple of areas that are really not noticeable but some really are -- besides the caulking is dull and the tile is not so it really shows. 

Obviously the guy doesn't know what to do so please could you tell me what to tell him as I can't even wash the floor for fear the water will get underneath. I am in the NE and trying not to use that door as the snow will come in. He is coming back maybe on Wednesday. Tile guy is blaming the remediators and they say it must be Mr. tile guy to blame for the tiles coming up. It is only about 10 or so places so wouldn't all the tiles be coming up if it was the remediators with their adhesive remover to blame. What am I going to do if again they will not stick. I can't even wash the floor for fear that water will get under the tiles. I had an operation for cancer so I needed to get rid of the carpet as everything comes in that door -- it is like a vacuum and too much for me to vacuum everyday. Now I could just sweep and wipe....hopefully. Please HELP. Thank you. 

Jake’s Answer: Steffie, A couple of thoughts come to mind. The loose tiles could be the result of moisture coming through the floor from the ground below the slab. You can test to see if it is a moisture problem by removing one of the tiles and taping very tightly to the floor a 12” square of cellophane plastic. Leave it down for 3 days and see if any moisture accumulates under the cellophane. If it does, then you will have a very slim chance of getting a vinyl tile to adhere. I am not aware of a mastic that will work with vinyl when moisture is present. This type of moisture is not easy or inexpensive to control. As an alternative floor we would recommend a hard tile, like ceramic or porcelain, using a mortar based mastic. 

Regarding the installer’s attempt at the repair by caulking the tile, I have never heard of such a thing. The correct way to handle the loose tile problem is to remove the tile completely, clean the floor and tile back, apply new mastic and reset the tile. Good luck. 

Tiling over tile

Question from Gram-E: Jake - We enclosed our back porch and had satillo tile laid. The tile men did a sorry job of laying the tile. Around the walls, some areas are 1 - 2 inches with nothing but grout. It looks horrible. My question is? Can new tile be laid over the existing tile? The foundation is a 5 inch concrete slab. Also, if you feel we need to remove the satillo, my other question is since this was a back porch when you set out onto it, you step down. Is there anyway concrete can be installed over existing concrete to raise it up closer to the threshold? Looking forward to your reply. 

Jake’s Answer: If the satillo tile is bonded well to the concrete floor you should be able to install a new floor over the existing tile. We have installed several tile floors over existing tile floors with excellent results. I can not recall an installation over satillo tile though. You should prepare the floor by making sure the tile is clean and sealed prior to the new installation. In regards to raising the floor by adding more concrete I don’t see this being a problem. It will be a lot of work and you should make sure that the existing slab is well supported by solid fill. You could add wood sleeper joists, plywood and a tile backer board over the existing tile and raise the floor in that manner as well.

SnapStone

Question from Rock: I want to try this tile product from Home depot called Snap Stone. It's a floating floor concept and it seems O.K. but would like your thoughts before spendin too much $$$. Thanks. 

Jake’s Answer: Rock, Sorry, but I have never used this product. We are sticking to the conventional tile which is not a reflection on the performance of SnapStone. It is my understanding that there are a limited amount of colors available at this time. Most of our clients want a wider selection. I guess old habits die hard.

Paint an old tile floor

Question:  We have a rental property with an old tile floor. We cannot afford to replace it - can we possible paint it?

Jake's Answer:  Yes, it is possible to paint it; is it advisable, not really.  I have seen wall tile painted and it can hold up for a period of time, depending upon the use of the area.  I don't know of any product that will really bond to tile for an extended period of time.  If it is a glazed tile, which most tile is, its surface is made to repel most items, including paint.  Why don't you give the floor a good cleaning and install the 12 x 12" peel and stick tiles.  They are relatively inexpensive and pretty easy to install.