Tile Over Concrete Slab

Ceramic and porcelain tile are so frequently installed at or above grade level on a cement board underlayment or directly on plywood that it almost seems novel to install tile directly on concrete.

Tile over concrete slab.

Generally speaking you don t what to install tile over a concrete slab that has a hydrostatic water problem unless it is remediated first. Scrub the floor with a brush and tsp and allow it to dry thoroughly. A typical 12 inch by 12 inch tile requires a 3 8 inch notched trowel. Installing tile directly on concrete.

Cover the slab completely with the tile adhesive and apply it to the back of the tiles as well. Before you begin to lay the tile over your concrete slab make sure the concrete is properly prepared. 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 the surface of the concrete slab. Guide to installing tile over concrete slabs.

It requires less skill and less time and it s a whole lot easier on your back. But larger cracks especially those that are higher on one side than the other may telegraph through the tile and cause it to crack. Covering concrete with paver bricks is much easier than pouring new concrete or laying paving stones the traditional way. How to lay porcelain tile over a concrete floor things you will need.

Wear safety gear when operating a tile saw or the cutting board. Tile can contribute thermal mass to a passive solar house and to christa campbell it would make a more appealing finish floor than concrete. Tsp is a high strength cleaner which is useful for removing dirt grease and oil from your existing surface. Watch this video to find out more.

Things you will need level leveling compound rounding stone broom chalk line tool tile adhesive notched trowel tile leveler rubber mallet tile cutter paper grout rubber float toothbrush sponge. Use a polymer modified dry set mortar adhesive that s rated for outdoor use. Tiles can be applied directly to a clean smooth concrete slab with a latex portland cement mortar. The concrete should be properly cured be level to 1 4 inch in 10 feet and have a steel trowel or fine broom finish.

Although tile can be placed directly over a concrete slab products such as schluter s ditra are designed to separate or uncouple the tile from any potential movement in the substrate and. Larger tiles will require a larger notch. Choose a grout that resists stains and fading. Here we ll walk you through how to lay paving stones over concrete.

Small cracks caused by shrinkage usually do not present a problem. 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. Applying strips of uncoupling membrane between a concrete slab and a tile floor can help prevent cracks in the slab from affecting the finished surface. Assess your slab this project will work with most patios.

Installing tile outdoors on a concrete patio.