How to Prep for a Ceramic or Porcelain Tile Floor

[Mrverdugazzo]

i have a question do I need to remove my old loor to put new floor on ???

[KnowYourRealEstate]

The floor should be repaired first if there are any problems...you also want to make sure it's flat and level like he said. Don't forget to seal the tile...many folks skip that part and regret it later.

[Geraldtoo]

Shouldnt repairing a loose subfloor be included? I have a floor that has a few squeaks in the winter and Im going to screw it down tight to the floor joists before any of this. This video is a good reference!

[spatdog01]

If you have any questions about installing a Glass Shower Door go to sierra-glass.ca

They were really helpful to me!

[congtusacto]

hi i have two stories house, do i need to install the backer board on the first floor in the kitchen? currently i have vinyl floor now. thanks

[JonTheChron]

popcorn4two is absolutely right. If there is asbestos in the floor tiles don't bother pulling anything off unless you pay the asbestos guys to come in for decontamination, which will cost you several grand. A single exposure to just a few grams of asbestos fibers can give you lung cancer, and remember, some asbestos fibers are up to 20x thinner than human hair.

[natestom]

i agree with mabas21. Especially if doing a bathroom; why buy moisture resistant backing and tape if you are going to possibly be installing over existing wood rot or mold under the existing vinyl?

[guitarguy316]

This is an expensive method for floor prep if ya ask me....that cement board is $17 for a 4 by 4 sheet!

[edtiling]

E.D.TILING QUALITY WORK, OVER 10 YEARS EXPERIENCE ..........

..

CONTACT LEE ON: TEL:07561 333 861 I provide a high standard and the best quality of finishes to a job at affordable prices. All work is 100% guaranteed done to your satisfaction. I've got over 10 years experience working in the trade. SPECIALISE IN ALL TYPES OF TILING: *Wet rooms\Shower room

[TileRight]

GO BUY THE MEASURERIGHT PRO AND SAVE TIME,SAVE TIME SAVE TIME, TILERIGHT (dot)COM

[Cambria0001]

Veteran tile setter for 15 yrs. Go right over the vinyl with polermer mod. thinset and backerboard with corrosion resistant screws. Forget about roadhouse or spending the extra hour which ends up to an extra 4 hrs after all is said and done. Don't be a Homer Simpson for that 1/4 inch vinyl/luan! I never used the tape in the past and never had one job fail! I am using the tape now just for insurance. Deflection must be L/360 for ceramic and porcelain and L/720 for nat stone.Use the deflectometer.

[fattony123082]

Installing Cement board over a Vinyl Floor is Like Putting an Elevator in an outhouse.... It Just don't go... *ROADHOUSE!*

[intelectualcatracho]

The best way to level the floor is by using an 18' trowel .

[Abd3ssamad]

Good Work , and very easy to do , not like mine , it's hard take a look at my videos

[wolfxinstein]

What is the purpose of starting in the middle? Why can't u start from 1 side-less 2 cut.

[drdrey02]

My project just got a whole lot more interesting.

[screemingtp]

You might need to mention that you need to stagger your backerboard joints

[tim3544]

do not install backer board over laminate it will not last!!!!



[firechicken666]

I should add that I still remove the vinyl for Lowes installs, I just inform the customer to tell them they are taking it up themselves, and I will be putting the labor under "PREP" And I pray they dont do a jobsite inspection when im pulling it up!

[firechicken666]

Im a Lowes Tile subcontractor, I agree NOT to go over old vinyl and underlay with tile and backer board, I always want to get to the main subfloor to insure it is fastened right and add screws straight into the joists if necessary. I always say its only stuck as good as what its stuck to, and if I didnt install what its stuck to, I cant waranty it. Lowes policy is if I cant warranty the install I cant do it. Lowes installers arent allowed to remove vinyl either.

[thegoosebrain]

So who am I to believe? Half the "pros" here say not to tile over a vinyl floor and the other half say not to? I just purchased a 45 yr old home with a rolled sheet vinyl kitchen floor. I really dont want to remove it if I dont have to. I'm afraid of the asbestos and the backbreaking work of ripping it off the wood and all that glue that held it down. Please, what is best?

[Red96TA]

@thegoosebrain

You can lay over vinyl flooring if you use hardibacker or durock (spelling) . I recommend durrock. Just like the video said, use thin set underneath and fasten it with screws. I always put one screw every 6 inches. That ensures the board is fastened and that it is pressed hard against the thin set and will be level. Also the board should be layed opposite of the floor joists if you have a big room.

[mikon222]

@thegoosebrain You can place backer board over vinyl, it'll work fine. All everyone else is saying is that it's worth it to rebuild the floor so that you can feel 100% safe that you have a fresh floor underneath with no moisture or weak points, since you are about to spend a lot of time and money.

[TheCarpetSource]

Great info.. and instruction! Thanks.

[217BullTerriers]

i can walk around 10 + minutes in a home-depot and not find one associate for help but when i do they know what where and how to do..go to lowes their everywhere but it takes a person to find a person that knows what the hell is going on.i dont understand some people are like robots.if it were my job top 2 bottom front 2 back without a pause second nature i'd answer any question solve any problem a snap.."must be a union thing, idiots"

[Wurdswurth]

Woah! It's the "Retroincabulator" guy. Look up that video on Youtube. It's pretty funny.

[jjlwis]

i trust this video more than expertvillige, and ehowto

[paulineprojectlove]

Sometimes the old vinyl flooring is abestos based and cannot be removed without a special toxic removal crew. Enclosing it as they do in this video is effective and much cheaper.

[regfarwell]

Not that informative to the DIY market.

[mun268]

Good

[MrSpreadeagle]

They now make thinset that can be installed over vinyl no problem, the label will say the proper material it can be used on. If vinyl is failing or installed in-proper then remove. hardy-backer is lighter, cheaper, and easier to instal then the cement board. I agree with Mabas more full tile and less small cuts the better. Mer-Krete Fracture Guard 5000 can save even more time since it can be rolled on subfloor if it meets deflection requirements as specified by TCNA and MIOA

[Jett430]

dont have lowes send out there people to do the job....last time i had a window put in, it took them 3 shots, and finally i had to doit myself.

[TheWaterlily2012]

I was hoping I could just go directly over linoleum without this backerboard extra work. :( Good tip on where to start in the middle though.

[thomasuras]

@thomasuras thats the problem take care of first things first . When they get the simple thing of checking out right ill start listing to his video about tile instolation. he would be of better use as a casher at this moment

[davekasia]

i think it was helpfull expecially for someone who just got a job in flooring it was extremely helpful so i dunno what your problem is its this guys job to do these videos not for cash register

[thomasuras]

2 minutes ago I'm old school builder and all theise new products really suck and are not functional . If you read the instructions on theise products the prep work alone makes it not worth it "float sub floor joints" expensive screws tame and mask all the seams screw the durock even the cost makes it not worth it. You need to block your joist drop your plywood sub floor then do 1-1/2 in of mud on wire lath and theirs no call backs. Just add up the real cost my way is better and cheaper

[grotepas]

@thomasuras It would really help if you could write a sentence that actually made sense. Try using punctuation, like commas and periods. That might give your suggestions authority.

[thomasuras]

@grotepas huh

[peadair1]

@grotepas it did make sense,,and why come on here to correct the way someone writes? are u a school teacher??

[grotepas]

@peadair1 If he's offering decent suggestions that are a better way to do the job, I'd really like to hear them. What he wrote doesn't make sense to a DIYer who is new to tiling, the people most likely to be watching this video. For example, this sentence: "prep work alone makes it not worth it 'float sub floor joints' expensive screws tame and mask all the seams screw the durock even the cost makes it not worth it." A list of separate things or one thing? If I knew I could look it up.

[popcorn4two]

I've been tiling for over 20 years and tiling over vinyl with durock is the best system. Sure you can remove the vinyl but in older homes where vinyl materials are made half with asbestos, it is best to not remove the vinyl or if you did, have the asbestos guys come do it because it is a health hazard. They are expensive and look forward to paying a few thousand if you hire them.

[mystic81006]

@popcorn4two Its best to get rid of any asbestos from your house all together,if back board is installed it will not protect you at all.All you are telling people here is to live with asbestos in your flooring.

[razorsazors]

@mystic81006 as long as its not disturbed, it should stay dormant. so if you dont tear it up, it should be fine. i think thats how it is anyway. i have no proof or credentials. thats just what ive heard. but if you have the money get that crap out of your house!

[ambinx]

You can tile over vinyl. If the vinyl is structuraly sound and you use a latex or polymer modified thin-set than you you wont have any problems with a secure bond. I've layed tile over vinyl and tile over tile and havent had any problems and some of those jobs were installed years ago.

[justborder3]

Hi. If doing the bathroom should the area under the bath be tiled please? This is upstairs and floor boards. Cheers

[mlapointe88]

@justborder3 no you can tile right up to the tub leaving a small line for grout in between.

[intelite]

YOu cannot 'score and snap' hardibacker. Trust me, unless you are a brute. Use a cermic saw blade on your circular and a good dust mask. :(

[ScottJ5860]

If the cement board is screwed down then why does it still require a mortar?

[jsblgb65]

Hey "union tile finisher": Starting with a full tile against one wall is LAZY and looks like crap because the tiles at the other side of the room will not be same size, looks horrible, unbalanced, and not worthy of a craftsman. Also, the cement backer board was screwed down, so the vinyl floor is of no consequence.

[Bob10123456]

why do some new home builders lay what looks like roofing felt under their floor tile. I thought that would be a major no-no. or is it to prevent the tile from cracking when the concrete slab shifts?

[IveGotNothinToSay]

Thanks

[sundown798]

Always rip up the vinyl floor. They just want to make the job as easy as possible for DIYers and shop Lowes. Talk to few local professional tile installers before taking Lowes advice.

[citywidetile]

Been laying tile for a long time. i do not recommend laying cement board over vinyl with thiset. thinset will not stick to the vinyl. problems later.

[pragmaticproducts]

Nice and straight forward

[247rockgirl]

Maybe they used the words "Porcelain" or "Ceramic" tile to imply that these are two words used to descibe the same thing - like saying use skim or fat free milk - or use MSG or cornstarch -

[floors07]

he don't know how to install tile,

[drngo23]

very informative video and has answered many of the questions i had. thanks alot !!!

[JonkyMalone]

I do not know how you can trust this as know so little amount the tiles themselves. They decribed "porcelain AND ceramic tile." They should have leant that porcelain is ceramic before posting to Youtube

[SonofaBowler]

Joey Petroni's you tube video instructed my cousin to use old paint mixed with wall spackle to grout his tile. Now it's all chipping up. I know the wall spackle can be used for various projects, but to hold a tile in place?

[Binxalot]

@SonofaBowler lmao, dude that is the most ridiculous thing I've ever read. Dry wall spackle is completely water soluable and will fail immediately if it gets wet. What the balls were you thinking?

[mabas21]

Union tile finisher for over 10 years and installed miles of cement board. It is not correct to install any underlayment over vinyl flooring thin set and screw or not. Take the hour and rip it up, this is just lazy and cutting corners. Why risk all your hard work for possible failure. One other point, learn how to square your room and not have so many cuts. Try to have a full tile at your tub and doorway. No need for cuts on every wall.

[icanhearyoubreathing]

@mabas21

Why? Because linoleum especially in older homes sometimes contain asbestos. I looked up the linoleum installed in my house that is 50 years old and believe it or not there is an 8 page .pdf on this linoleum patented in 1942. It states that between different layers are certain "fiber material" which could be anything from burlap to asbestos.

[mabas21]

@icanhearyoubreathing Agreed, asbestos is a problem, but it still is incorrect to underlay a floor in this method. Your saying to cover over the asbestos and call it someone elses problem in the future. Brief contact with small floors is not going to cause cancer, the dust from thin set, grout, and cutting the cement board is just as dangerous as the asbestos threat. If your going to do the job do it right, won't have to go back and fix it later

[horsegirl48744]

@mabas21 :( I just was working on a kitchen floor replacement for tile.. I agree with you 100%, the previous owner had this.. Two layers of plywood, vinyl tile, then a thing sheet of plywood maybe 1/8" thick, then a layer of vinyl tile then put ceramic tile on top, (nothing) between the vinyle tile and mortor.. That a mess..... Just lazyness to remove... Took me a few hours to remove everything after.. was told the tile was only 1 year old and had already cracked.

[mabas21]

@horsegirl48744 God what a nightmare, been there done that though. Sorry you had to contend with that mess!

[jocky102]

@mabas21 i ABSOLUTELY agree..... this dickhead in the video has NO IDEA how to tile and is probably reading the how to from a board behind the camera

[jackasstoday]

@mabas21 You are completely right on this. I know next to nothing about tiling, but always rip out the linoleum or vinyl floor sheeting and strip it down to the sub floor. That is just foolish to tile over vinyl or linoleum.

[mydopesonhitt187]

@mabas21 so when u tear up the old tile do u tear up the old under layment?

[mabas21]

@mydopesonhitt187 It all depends on the integrity of the under layment, generally when it's OSB it tears to shreds when tearing out the old floor. If it is plain old plywood it should stand-up to the tear out. You always want to save cash, but if it threatens the new floor to be installed spend the extra cash to guarantee your new floor lasts awhile. Hope I was some help

[GrandValleyFootball]

@mabas21 You can install it over vinyl flooring no problem. You need to ensure that the floor is level and that floor doesn't shift or move too much i.e. squeeking, nails coming up, etc. The vinyl acts as a nice water barrier. Removing the vinyl is a completely unnecessary step.

[mabas21]

@GrandValleyFootball I am giving the professional and right way to do this, I was an installer/finisher in a union for 10 years. This may be acceptable for a diy, but not a professional. Leaving behind vinyl flooring instead of plywood to thin set to is not the correct way to do the install. If I would have tried this I would have gotten in trouble from my employer and union. They would have made me return on my own time to fix it. I chose to do it right the first time

[GrandValleyFootball]

@mabas21 This video is meant for the diyer; calling it the wrong way is incorrect. Since removing the vinyl flooring will in no way give you an advantage, there's no point for a diyer to do it. Just because it's a "union" way doesn't mean it's the only "right" way.

It may not be professional by "union" standards, but for the diyer it's fine. If ppl wanted a professional job, they probably wouldn't be watching this video; they'd be calling a local installer.

[aliasa99]

@GrandValleyFootball I am just trying to prevent some poor guy or girl the headache of a failed floor in a year or two. Pro or rookie doesn't matter, do it right the first time then you don't have to go back and redo the work. The second time around sucks because you ripping out your work plus what you should have done the first time. Think about it, spend an hour or two ripping out the old or spend a day fixing a failed floor.

[GrandValleyFootball]

@aliasa99 It isn't a "right way vs wrong way" thing. Installing over a vinyl floor in no way weakens the tile floor. The floor will not fail in a year or two because of the vinyl flooring. If someone is going to be ripping out the floor in a year or two that they installed, they should be rethinking putting the floor in the first place.

[aliasa99]

@GrandValleyFootball mkay sorry my daddey was on my account by accident

[ozymandias2010]

@GrandValleyFootball How can the vinyl act as a nice water barrier if it has been pierced by the screws holding the backerboard down?? About as water resistant as a sieve LOL

It never ceases to amaze me hold people could spend 1000s on expensive tiles, but then try and take shortcuts on installation. Do it right, and do it once.

[Learnthethingsido]

@mabas21 Ya it may be unprofessional Just as long as you keep it level it wont effect anything.

[mapioto1]

@mabas21 i totally agree ,never go over old vinyl or moisture plywood ,fix all that first!!! but i don not agree with you to have a full tile on a edge thats just the easyest way but not the best ,the best way y to be centered and have cuts not smaller than 3 or four inches...also straigt layout is overrated try diagonal or brick stile or both and i ll allways look newer and profetional!

[mabas21]

@mapioto1 Could not agree more, but for the 1st timers.... Throwing in a 12x12 or larger tile on a 45 degree can make you tear your hair out! And then going into a brick pattern or basket weave, don't get me started. I figure just make it sweet and simple for the 1st timers or diy.

[Red96TA]

@mapioto1

I completely agree. I always like to have a full tile where I can. In bathrooms I find it nice to hit full at the door and full or a half tile at the tub and hide my 4" cuts under the counter edge/behind the toilet.

[impleasen]

@mabas21 of course there is a know it all with a big mouth

everywere you go, make your own video so someone can tell you

what you did wrong

[R1PBROCK]

things get done very differently in the US as appose to Australia

[cphillips1958]

@ Like YA Would...It's a vinyl floor and the methods are correct for a cement board application.

what ever you are or think you are ...it's not a flooring expert, for sure...

[LikeYaWould]

at the 1:00 minute mark in this video, it shows someone trowelling white mortar on what seems to be vinyl or canvas flooring. This should never be done,the floor would never last. as for cemeting sheet rock to the floor, its much cheaper and easier to use SCHLUTER DITRA. search it up, you'll ind it on youtube.

[juxtapos99]

@LikeYaWould see 3:34 they used screws to hold the backer board down.

Only thing I disagree with is undercutting the door trim (jamb). it gives a better look to take off the whole trim and cut off the bottom to size when the tile job is complete. Plus it's a little easier to lay down those edge tiles without having the trim in the way.

[eagol84]

@juxtapos99 I think it's easier to cut the door jambs and just slide the tile under it.