New tile on old. Is it possible to lay tiles on old tiles: nuances of technology

Sometimes old tiles are firmly glued to the floor or walls, so dismantling them is very difficult. Is it worth gluing tiles on tiles, when is it possible to do this, and when is it not? The article contains all necessary information on this issue.

Why glue tiles on tiles

This method of installing tiles is not a popular solution, and opinions differ regarding this method. There are several reasons why installing new tiles over old ones is preferable:

Removing old tiles is hard work. Sometimes the coating is attached to the base so firmly that it cannot be removed without special tools. Sometimes you have to call special services, which costs a pretty penny. In addition, a large amount of construction debris and dust is generated, which means a waste of effort on cleaning the premises. All nearby rooms will have to be emptied of furniture, since the dust will be significant and polyethylene coverings will not help.
Proceeding from the opposite, installing tiles on tiles will be much easier and will save a lot of time.
When demolishing the old coating, fragments may break off cement-sand screed. You will have to refill it and wait for the solution to harden.
This method significantly reduces the consumption of materials: there is no need to level the surface. Preparation time is also reduced.

Is it worth installing tiles based on these reasons? Don't rush. Other factors need to be taken into account.

Disadvantages of the method

Despite the convenience of such installation, negative consequences are also inevitable. What to expect when attaching tile to tile:

Concealing precious centimeters, which will be especially noticeable in small rooms such as a bathroom. Old tiles and an additional layer of glue reduce the area of the room if installed on the wall. If the tiles are placed on the floor, then its level will rise noticeably - you will probably have to increase the height of the threshold, and accordingly, reshape the door leaf.
A coating that is too thick looks unsightly.
If on old masonry there were defects, that is, there was a risk of damage to the new coating in the same places. The cladding will collapse due to increased load if the old tiles had cracks and voids.
To ensure strong adhesion of the surface to the glue, porous and rough materials are selected. Ceramic tiles do not meet these requirements; accordingly, the new coating is not attached very reliably.
Will be required additional processing old tiles. It differs from standard work. Sometimes such preparation takes no less time and effort than dismantling old tiles.

When such installation is categorically inappropriate

There are also clear contraindications for attaching new tiles to old ones. These include the following cases:

Old tiles do not hold up well and have defects.
The new layer of tiles on the floor will exceed the threshold level. In the bathroom, it is recommended to make the floor 2-3 cm lower than in the rest of the house, or install a high threshold. This reduces the risk of water entering the room in the event of a leak.
The base is made up of separate and insufficiently large elements, and the entire load will fall on the bonding coating between the old tile and the base. This is fraught with rapid damage to the new tile. The load-bearing function can only be performed by a monolithic tile covering.
The surface has a large slope and needs leveling.

Advice! If you are concerned about at least one point that warns against installing old tiles on new ones, then it is better to abandon this idea. After all, in case of failure, you will have to remove two layers of tiles and spend money on a third option.

What to glue

The preparation of the base in the form of old tiles is carried out in a special way. The quality of the cladding directly depends on the choice of adhesive composition. Regular cement mixtures are also suitable for the floor. Dense and elastic compositions are selected for walls.

Quick-drying mixtures are a good choice as they will prevent the coating from slipping. The adhesive must have high adhesion and provide a strong base. There are special adhesive compositions on sale for installing tiles on difficult surfaces, for example, Ceresit, Ivsil Profit.

Important! If you place the tiles on a layer of glue that is too thick, polymerization will take much longer, and accordingly, the risk of delamination of the masonry and sliding of the top coating will increase.

Tile installation: instructions

How to glue ceramic tiles so that the cladding lasts for many years? First you need to complete the preparatory steps:

Inspect the old covering to see how firmly it is connected to the wall or floor.
Carefully examine the tiles for chips, cracks and other defects. Even 10-15% of the damaged coating is already a reason for dismantling. If the main part of the tile is strong, and there are damages in 2-3 places, then you can take a chance and install a new tile on top of the old one.
If the old coating looks to be holding up well, you need to do a test: tap it wooden hammer. If cracks and chatter appear, the old cladding must be removed.
The seams between the tiles should also not wobble or fall out.

The glue adheres well to the porous surface, penetrating its structure. Tiles, especially glossy ones, have minimal ability to absorb moisture, that is, they have few pores. To facilitate adhesion, you need to clean the surface: use a grinder to make notches on the tiles or remove the glossy layer completely. The lower part of the tile is water absorbent. It must be opened at least 60%. But this method is labor-intensive and messy.

There is another way to make the surface rough: concrete-contact primer. It adheres well to the top layer of tiles and serves as a reliable basis for tile adhesive.

The surface must be cleaned of dirt and grease and wiped dry, otherwise the glue simply will not work.
Cover fallen or unstable tiles cement mortar so that the surface is at the same level. Wait until dry.
Apply primer with a roller or brush. Setting time is 2-4 hours.
If you choose the method of removing the top part of the tile, then when working with an angle grinder you must wear safety glasses.
Apply tile adhesive to the dried primer using a notched trowel.
Lay the tiles in the usual way.
Due to the low absorbency, the drying speed of the glue will be longer.
Grout with special compounds using a rubber spatula.
Allow the glue to dry completely. The final polymerization time is 3-4 days after installation.

Can tiles be glued to tiles? In conclusion, it is worth noting that this installation method is sometimes preferable. But you should carefully inspect old tile for defects, and also carry out all preparatory and basic work strictly according to the instructions.

In the process repair work with your own hands you have to deal with many difficult questions, the correct answers to which will determine the quality and service life new finishes. One such question is, can you lay tile on tile? Let's consider whether it is possible to use the old tile as a basis for a new coating or whether it is better to dismantle it to avoid possible problems.

Features of preparation various types surfaces. How to rub seams. Criteria for choosing tile coverings and laying patterns for the floor.

How to remove old grout from tile joints

Quite often you have to deal with a situation where the condition of the old tile is quite satisfactory, but in order to use it as the basis for a new coating, it is necessary to replace the grout for the joints. It is quite possible to carry out this procedure, however, it requires attention and time. Let's look at how to remove grout from tile joints correctly.

In order to delete old grout exists special tool, which is called a “stitch remover”. It can be used to remove grout mechanically. By itself, it is a blade with a comfortable handle, but as an alternative, you can use a regular knife.

The blade of a knife or embroiderer must be passed on both sides at an angle and straight. When doing this, you need to be careful not to chip the edges of the tiles. It is worth noting that this cannot be done quickly “by hand”, so you can use a drill with a thin drill bit or an electric chisel.

Important! If, in the process of removing the old grout, the tiles also begin to crumble, it is better to abandon the idea of laying another layer on top, even if there is new grout.

How to remove old grout from tile joints if it is silicone

Silicone grout also requires dismantling and replacement, especially if the room was not provided high-quality ventilation. Very often you have to deal with the fact that the seams are affected by mold, which is almost impossible to remove. Therefore, before laying new tiles over old tiles, you need to take care of the hygiene of the joints.

Removal silicone sealant carried out using sharp knife or a special scraper. After this, additional cleaning is carried out using a vacuum cleaner.

Useful advice! There are special products that allow you to remove silicone faster and with less effort. Such compositions are applied using mounting gun, after which you must wait at least 24 hours. Then the seams are wiped with a rag or paper.

Is it possible to lay tiles on tiles on the floor: features of the work

Floor coverings, unlike wall coverings, are not subject to gravity. Therefore, in a sense, installation is easier. But in in this case another difficulty arises - the new coating will regularly be subjected to serious loads.

Before gluing tiles to the floor, you need to carry out an equally thorough check of each element of the lower layer. To do this, you can use the same hammer for tapping, but you can try another approach: an object with a flat base (a box works well), you need to smoothly drag it across the surface, carefully observing that not a single tile falls even a few millimeters. It can be difficult to do this in a small bathroom or toilet, but for indoor larger size this is a very effective way.

In general, all the recommendations provided in the previous section are also relevant when working with floors. It is only advisable to give preference to mineral compositions. Thus, the surface will be provided with greater elasticity, which will allow it to withstand heavy loads and temperature changes.

Useful advice! Before laying floor tiles on top of old ceramic coating, you don’t have to carry out such intense preparatory work, as in the case of the wall surface. But it’s still worth moistening the base before you start applying glue, as this will have a positive effect on adhesion.

Is it possible to make a self-leveling floor on old tiles?

As a basis for a new coating, you can also use a self-leveling floor, which is installed directly on the surface of the old tile. As in all previous cases, a mandatory procedure is a thorough check of the quality of fastening of the lower layer. All loosely fitting elements must be dismantled.

It is worth paying attention to the fact that in cases where we are talking about working with a glossy surface, top layer coatings are removed to ensure the required level of adhesion between the solution and the tile. Pouring and further work are produced according to a standard algorithm.

Useful advice! Laying a new layer of tile does not require a thick layer of self-leveling floor. Its thickness should not exceed 5 mm. The main thing is to evenly distribute the composition over the entire surface.

Taking into account the opinion of experts, we can say that installing a self-leveling floor on top of tiles is possible only in extreme cases. In this case, the area of the room should be small, and the requirements for operational characteristics surfaces are minimal.

Is it possible to lay tiles on tiles outdoors?

Very interesting question that may arise - is it possible to lay a new layer paving slabs on top of the old one. Of course, such a procedure is often unjustified, but still, in some cases, this technology is resorted to in the process of arrangement garden paths, terraces and summer areas.

As in the case of tiles laid on old flooring inside the house, the main criterion is the quality of fastening of the lower layer. You can check it using a pry bar or a strong knife. Using such tools, you should try to remove one of the elements.

Important! If the tile was able to be moved with a knife, but this required serious physical effort, then such a coating can be used as a base. If the tile comes off easily, this may later cause deformation of the top layer.

A new cushion is poured on top of the old layer of tiles, which should consist of three layers - loose soil, gravel, sand. In this case, compaction of each layer must be carried out separately. On top, according to standard technology, a new layer of paving slabs is laid.

Thus, the answer to the question of whether it is possible to lay tiles on tiles on the floor in the bathroom or even on the walls is rather in the affirmative. Of course, during the work process you will have to follow many rules and recommendations, and the end result can almost always be unpredictable, but in principle, this is quite possible.

Repair is in any case a very troublesome undertaking. And if it is assumed that a complete dismantling of the wall and floor cladding will be carried out, the expected volume of work can frighten even an experienced repairman, not to mention home handyman. Indeed, in this case, just getting rid of old materials will take more than one day of intensive work.

Therefore, novice builders are trying to find out whether it is possible to lay tiles on tiles and thereby save their energy and time. Let's try to figure it out together.

But, nevertheless, in some cases, it is better to preserve the old floor or wall covering and make it the basis for a new one. Why? Let's try to justify it.

Destruction of the old foundation during dismantling

Dismantling old tiles will most likely lead to the destruction of the base on which it is attached. So, when deleting floor tiles fragments of the screed will definitely break off, the leveling plywood flooring will also become unusable, and when working with wall covering laid on drywall, the latter will most likely be damaged.

Thus, in addition to carrying out the work of dismantling and laying new tiles, you will have to re-arrange the base, which is very labor-intensive, costly and will take a lot of time for the material to harden.

“Dirty” and costly preparatory work

No matter how hard you try, dismantling the old cladding cannot be done cleanly. The dust will be very strong, since you will have to work with a hammer drill. The amount of construction waste that will need to be removed is also large. In addition, the bathroom will have to be completely emptied of furniture and plumbing equipment.

Experienced craftsmen note that neighboring rooms can also be damaged by dust. Equipment and furniture in them should definitely be covered with polyethylene; if possible, it is worth protecting the decoration of the room, otherwise it may be seriously damaged.

Dismantling old tiles is a very labor-intensive undertaking. During its implementation, the old base on which the cladding lies will certainly be damaged and will have to be restored

“Contraindications” to preserving the old coating

As has already become clear, many additional problems arise during dismantling. To minimize them, you should try to leave the old cladding. However, this is not always possible. There are several cases when leaving tiles is strictly not recommended:

After finishing the expected floor level will be higher than in other rooms. The bathroom is one of the rooms where the risk of leaks is especially high, so it is recommended to make the floor level in the bathroom 3-5 cm lower. This is done so that in the event of an accident, water cannot flow out of the room. It is not recommended to break this rule.
Poor quality old cladding materials. This applies to both the glue and the tile itself. A cladding covered with a network of small cracks will not be a good base for a new coating. Fungus, indelible grease and dirt have already appeared in the cracks. Bad glue will not be able to reliably hold the tiles; they will break off and weaken the base. new cladding.
The room is small in size. It should be taken into account that laying tiles on top of the old coating will reduce the size of an already small room.
Under the tiled covering are laid engineering communications, and there are no inspection hatches. If you put a new cladding on top of such a base, in the event of an accident you will have to dismantle two layers of tiles, which is much more expensive and labor-intensive.
Uneven cladding or a clear slope that you want to level. When laying tiles, height differences of less than 4 mm are allowed for every 2 m of surface. If the difference is greater, you will have to dismantle the old coating.

SNiPs state that the base for the tile covering must be monolithic, rough and porous. All this does not correspond to the characteristics ceramic cladding, which is composed of individual, small-sized elements, and is also highly smooth.

So it seems like laying new tiles It’s absolutely not possible to use the old one. This is not entirely true. Let's consider the solidity of the coating. Properly laid on good glue high-quality tiles form a solid monolithic base, quite suitable for laying another layer of cladding.

With the porosity of the material, everything is somewhat more complicated. The most significant advantage of building ceramics is its high density, which is combined with minimum quantity moisture-absorbing pores. The fewer pores on the surface of the tile, the better it is.

In any case, the absorption coefficient of the cladding is about 0.5%. This is negligible for the glue to penetrate inside the tile, adhere to it and hold the new ceramic element on itself. That is why, before starting work on installing new tiles, it is necessary to remove the glaze from the old one in order to open the pores of the ceramic and at the same time increase its roughness.

You can solve the problem in three different ways:

Cleaning old tiles using a grinder with a special attachment. As a result, the top layer of glaze is removed and the pores of the material are opened.
Formation of notches on the surface of the tile. This is done using a grinder with an abrasive disc. This way, cross-cuts can be applied to the ceramic, which improves the adhesion of the base.
Application of a special primer that improves the adhesion of the material. This can be any composition enriched with needle quartz or ordinary sand. Such solutions are produced by all manufacturers of building mixtures.

Experts note that best result can be achieved when all three methods described above are used in combination. Therefore, it is strongly recommended to do exactly this way.

The surface of ceramic tiles is very smooth and practically free of pores. It is impossible to glue the cladding to such a base, so it must be prepared in a special way

Installation procedure

The procedure is performed in several stages.

Stage #1: Strengthening the old coating

First of all, we need to understand how securely the old cladding holds up. To do this, we take a special hammer with a copper head; if you don’t have one, a small steel hammer will do, and gently tap it on the entire tile covering. We perform the operation very carefully, without missing a single element.

Tap the center of the part and the corners. The cavities under the cladding will make themselves felt with a ringing echo that will be heard from under the ceramics. You need to understand that the presence of such cavities indicates that the new coating laid on such a base will be destroyed.

We immediately dismantle the defective elements using a hammer and chisel. We fill the resulting cavities with cement mortar and wait for it to completely harden. The curing time of the composition depends on the thickness of its layer. For example, a centimeter layer will completely harden in 7 days. Carefully clean out the crumbling seams with a chisel and fill tile adhesive or cement mortar. We also wait for it to dry.

If, as a result of tapping the tile, it turns out that it does not adhere well to the base, the defective cladding must be removed. We use a chisel and a hammer for this.

Stage #2: Preparing the ceramic surface for installation

We start by cleaning the tiles. To do this, take a grinder and place it on it grinding wheel with medium grit, and get to work. We carefully treat the entire ceramic surface. We remove the glaze from the tiles, and then make notches on the tile base that will improve the adhesion of the material.

Now we need to prepare the surface for priming. To do this, wash it thoroughly. At first clean water, washing off the dust, then use a soap solution. It will help remove grease and dirt.

If there are old stains or grease that is difficult to wash off on the base, add soda to the water. Rinse the ceramic surface thoroughly, rinsing it several times with clean water. After the ceramic has dried, we begin priming. We try to apply the solution evenly, carefully distributing it with a brush or roller.

We strictly follow the instructions and apply the amount of composition indicated therein. In order not to stain the structures connected to the floor, we cover them with polyethylene before work. We are waiting for the primer to dry. This will take 3 or 4 hours.

To prepare old tile coverings, special solutions are used, which include needle quartz or regular sand. They are produced packaged in hermetically sealed containers.

Stage #3: Marking the surface and installing stops

Before laying the tiles, it is necessary to mark and install stops on which the first row of cladding will rest. It is best to draw a diagram that will indicate all design features premises. On it we perform an approximate layout of the elements. It is advisable that the seams of the upper parts lie on solid tiles. To do this, you need to move the upper joints relative to the lower ones.

When laying tiles on a wall, we attach a stop for the first row of tiles at the bottom of the wall. It could be wooden slats or plastic corner. We take a plumb line and draw a line on the base perpendicular to the stop. It is necessary to control the verticality of the installation. If you plan to install tiles different colors, you can mark the places where parts of a different tone will be glued.

We begin installation of floor tiles from the far corner of the room. We draw a line in the first row and mark the location of elements that differ from others in color or texture, which will form the pattern. We make sure that the entire piece is laid at the entrance to the room without trimming.

When making calculations, do not forget that it is necessary to take into account not only the size of the tile, but also the size of the gap between the elements.

It is easier to lay tiles on the wall if you install a special stop under the first row, on which the first row of cladding will rest. Otherwise, the elements will slide down and achieving even masonry will be much more difficult

Step #4: Laying the whole tile

The most difficult thing is to lay out the first row. We start by applying the solution. To do this, we use a special notched trowel, the height of the teeth is equal to the thickness of the glue layer.

We lean the prepared tile against the support, then carefully turn it over and lay it on the mortar. There is no need to press down the part too much. Better with light ones Use movements to slightly rotate the element around its axis. In this way it will be possible to achieve maximum adhesion. When laying tiles, you need to remember that it will be quite difficult to tear them off the surface.

It will only be possible to move the part slightly to the side, so we choose the place for installation as accurately as possible. Be sure to check the correct installation using building level. If you need to deepen the tile a little, we do it with a rubber hammer.

We install plastic crosses in the corners of the part, which will help maintain the exact dimensions of the gaps. Another important point: the gaps should be kept as clean as possible. Do not press down the parts too hard so that the solution protrudes at the edges.

We place the tiles on a layer of mortar applied to the base with a notched trowel. Place the part in a light circular motion to ensure the best adhesion to the glue.

After gaining a little experience, you can try to apply the solution under several tiles at a time. Then, with quick but precise movements, we put the parts in place, turning them slightly at the same time. We distribute crosses into the gaps, lightly press down the cladding with a level, while checking that it is installed correctly.

Having laid the first row, we take a break to wait for the glue to dry completely. This will make it easier to lay the rest of the tiles. An important point: all excess mortar in places intended for installation of cut tiles must be removed immediately. Otherwise, they will dry out, and before continuing work you will have to chip off the hardened glue, which will certainly affect the strength of the connection of the laid parts. We do the same before a break in work, remove the solution along the edge of the completed row.

Stage #5: Installation of cut tiles

The remaining areas of the base must be filled with tile fragments. They must be cut from solid parts. We do this using a glass cutter or tile cutter. We mark the part, not forgetting the size of the gaps.

We form a smooth edge of the element using a special machine with a diamond wheel or tile cutter-nippers. We install the prepared fragment in the desired place in the same way as the whole tile.

Before cutting, the tiles must be accurately marked, taking into account the dimensions of the cladding and the size of the gaps

Stage #6: Grouting or jointing

The final stage consists of filling the tile joints special solution. Before starting work, you should wait until the glue on which the cladding was laid has completely dried. After this, carefully remove all the crosses from the gaps between the tiles. Now we clean the seams and the surface of the parts from dust and debris. It is best to use a vacuum cleaner for this purpose.

If we use an epoxy or silicone solution, we will cover the edges of the tiles with masking tape, which will prevent the mixture from getting on the tiles, since it is very difficult to remove it from there after drying.

Upon completion of laying the tiles, the joints between the tiles are filled with grout. A soft rubber spatula is used for work.

The grouting solution can be made on the basis epoxy resin, silicone or cement. They are almost similar in their characteristics, but differ in the method of preparation and use. Epoxy and silicone compounds are sold ready-to-use, packaged in an airtight container.

You must prepare the cement mortar yourself by diluting the dry mixture with water. Take a rubber spatula and apply a small amount of the prepared composition to the seam. Lightly press it deep into the joint. Then we remove the excess composition. To do this, place the spatula across the seam and run along it with slight pressure. At the same time, the seam deepens a little and is leveled. Having filled all the joints between the tiles in this way, leave them until completely dry.

We remove the remaining grout and masking tape. Clean and wash the coating.

Video instructions from masters

Thus, we can conclude that, despite the recommendations of SNiPs, it is quite possible to lay tiles on top of old tiles in a high-quality manner. However, doing this is not as easy as it might seem. It is very important to correctly assess the condition of the old coating and determine whether it can become the basis for laying new tiles. In addition, it is extremely important to carry out the preparatory work correctly. Only in this case can you count on a good result.

Repair is a troublesome task, taking a lot of effort, time and money. That is why many who do it themselves try to simplify their task as much as possible and often glue fresh wallpaper on top of old ones that have lost their appearance, or install new floor coverings on top of previously laid ones. But, unfortunately, it is not always possible to update an apartment in this way and bring it into divine shape. Is it possible to old tiles on the floor? A question that is relevant for those who are planning to update the floors in the bathroom or kitchen, but want to save time and money on dismantling the old covering.

Decorative beautiful ceramic tiles– the material is very popular for arranging floors and walls in rooms such as the kitchen and bathroom. It is durable, lightweight, and does not lose its beautiful appearance for a long time. appearance. However, over time, the same surface, the appearance of which does not change, can become seriously boring. And if the design of the room is radically updated, then the old coating may simply not fit the new format. In these cases, there is nothing left to do but lay new tiles.

And this is where the question often arises: A Is it possible to update the coating without removing the old one?? After all, dismantling tiles is hard, troublesome work associated with the appearance of a large amount of debris. The main reasons why you want to keep the old coating, but cover it with a new one, are the following:

saving not only time, but also money;

the difficulty of removing old coating, which is often associated with the fact that you will have to remove the remains cement mixture– it was on this that ceramic tiles were previously laid in 90% of cases;
the need to level the base after removing the tiles in order to be able to lay a new ceramic coating;
formation of a large amount of garbage;
If you need to fill a new one, you will have to wait a very long time for it to dry.

As can be seen from everything written above, The question of preserving the old tile covering is really relevant.

Is it possible to leave the old coating?

There is no clear answer to this question. In general, many masters speak out against this method of saving, but no fewer people practice this particular method of updating flooring- without removing the old tile, they put a new one on it. But here it is important to soberly assess the styling possibilities.

So, for example, if the old surface is in excellent condition, smooth and neat, then it is quite possible to lay new tiles on it, provided that simple rules performing such work. However, if the floors are in terrible condition, some of the old tiles are missing or chipped, and voids are clearly felt under the coating, then you will not be able to get away with it. In such cases, you should never lay tiles on top of the old ones.

Note! It is possible that due to the voids that may be under the old coating, cracks may appear on the new one over time due to some mechanical stress. You can identify the presence of voids by tapping the tiles with a rubber hammer.

If there are no voids, then the old tile may well act as an excellent strong and even base for laying a new layer. Also, thanks to this “rough” floor, you don’t have to bother with waterproofing and other work - all this work was probably done when laying the previous layer. By the way, in certain cases (for example, if some communications pass under the tiles, and it is impossible to determine their location), removing the old coating becomes an almost impossible task.

You cannot lay new tiles on old ones if the latter adheres very poorly to the surface - the cement could simply crumble over time due to constant use of the floor. And it is not recommended to use this method if there is no desire to reduce the height of the ceilings - sometimes raising the floor level even by a couple of centimeters can interfere with the normal closing of doors, etc.

Important! In a bathroom or toilet, the floor level is usually lower than in other rooms of the house or apartment. This is done so that in case of flooding, water does not get into other rooms. It is necessary to leave the threshold!

In general, we can say that laying tiles on the surface of an old one may well take place. But only if it is possible to install a new coating without the risk of damaging it.

Table. Absolute contraindications to such work.

Factor	Cause
Loose tiles	The new tile will not adhere to the surface of the old one.
Voids under tiles	A fresh layer will quickly collapse and become unusable, since the tile underneath can fall through and break under the influence of the weight of a person walking on it.
Previous tiles were laid using poor adhesive	If you know that previously laid tiles were installed using poor adhesive, then you should not put another layer on it. It may well be that soon the old tiles will begin to fall behind, which will entail damage to the outer layer of the new tiles.
Uneven floor	If the old tile covering is obviously uneven, then laying new tiles cannot be done on top of the old one. The base must be perfectly level.
Old tiles covered with cracks	Dirt accumulates in such cracks, and the old tile itself can no longer be a reliable and dense base for a new one.

If there are contraindications listed in the table above, dismantling the old coating is a mandatory measure. Otherwise, the new foundation will not last long.

Difficulties in carrying out work

Despite the fact that, in general, not having to remove old tiles will make life much easier for craftsmen, there are also pitfalls. So, for example, in order for a new tile layer to lay down well and efficiently, it is important to carry out certain preparatory measures.

First you should assess the condition of the previously laid coating. It must be of high quality, durable and reliable. Next, you need to eliminate as much as possible all existing irregularities, if possible.

It is also important to remember such a factor as adhesion. Often, ceramic tiles on the floor are glossy and smooth, which means that the adhesive will have poor adhesion to them. Such a surface will have to be matted and made rough, otherwise there can simply be no talk of quality work. Glue is simply not able to reliably attach to a completely smooth surface. Thus, you need to prepare for the fact that you will have to create this very roughness by rubbing the surface with grinding machine, forming notches and applying primer.

Note! The ideal option is to use three methods of creating roughness at once. Then the adhesion of the glue and the new tile to the old will be maximum.

Notches on the tiles can be made with a regular grinder. They need to be placed approximately 1-2 cm apart from each other. In general, to achieve the desired result, it is enough to cover about 60% of the entire surface with notches. old surface. The work is dusty and must be done while wearing a respirator.

It is also recommended to degreasing, and also - Thorough cleaning of the surface from all kinds of stains(eg paint stains), debris. Vacuuming is recommended after cleaning the surface. Degreasing is important because over time, a fatty layer, invisible to the eye, forms on any surface. And fat negatively affects the adhesive ability of adhesive compositions. Degreasing is especially important for the joints between tiles. If fat is removed from the surface of the old tile during the creation of roughness, then it will not easily leave the seams.

Advice! To degrease floors, they can be washed with water and a small amount of caustic soda.

If there is crumbled grout between old tiles, it must be removed. Moreover, try to do this to the greatest possible depth. And when the old tile is prepared in this way, you can cover it with “Concrete Contact” to create a high-quality primer layer. Some craftsmen note that by covering the tiles with such a composition, you can do without creating roughness, but it is better not to neglect this measure if you want to get excellent result. Consumption of “Betonokontakt” is approximately 300 g/m2.

Glue selection

- also a kind of task for the master who decided to lay new tiles on top of the old ones. Not every composition that you can buy in the first store you come across is suitable here. So, when choosing an adhesive, it is important to pay attention to the recommendations for its use - it must be stated for which surfaces it is suitable.

Experts recommend taking Ceresit CM17 or Ivsil Profit as the best adhesive compositions for this type of work. Don't let it bother you that the second option adhesive composition designed for - in this case it will only be useful when carrying out work. And Ceresite is excellent for working on complex surfaces, which include old ceramic tiles.

Often, bathroom renovations involve dismantling old tiles. A large amount of dust and dirt, difficulty in carrying out work to remove old cladding - these factors hinder the start of the process. The solution in such a situation is to lay ceramics on top of the previous finish.

1. When should you not lay new tiles over existing ones?

Experts advise to refrain from similar method cladding if:

The old tiles are in poor condition; there are chips and cracks on the surface. Such external signs will cause destruction of the new cladding. With such installation, the service life of the finish is short;
The bathroom area is small and the walls are uneven. The second level, as well as leveling plaster, will significantly reduce the size of a small room. Under such conditions, it is better to dismantle the old surface tiles;
Ceramics close communications, and there is no possibility of inspection - there are no special hatches. In case necessary repairs pipes, or replacing communications, it will be necessary to dismantle two layers of tiles;
Air voids under the cladding are revealed when tapping (inhomogeneous sound). In this case, laying on the old cladding is not permissible, since the base may fall off when installing a new tile covering. It is better to replace the old pipes and finishing material;
The floor is an uneven surface with a slope. For leveling, it is advisable to completely dismantle the covering elements, as well as remove the screed, on the eve of repair.

2. Disadvantages of laying new tiles over old ones

For those who do not want to spend a lot of effort and money on a bathroom renovation, the question often arises: “Can I lay tile on tile?” Before you begin repairs, you should study the disadvantages characteristic of this approach:

Due to the second level of cladding on the floor, the height of the room is reduced. In the bathroom, the floor should be lower relative to the corridor, and a threshold of 15-20 mm is also necessary;

If the old coating is in poor condition, the cost of a new layer will not be worthwhile - the tile will not last long;
Often in those buildings where the cladding was originally done, the level of the floor and walls of the bathroom is not ideal.

3. Actions before cladding

In order for the tile to last a long time, it is necessary to prepare existing tiles for installation. Recommended sequence:
1) Assess strength existing finishes, tapping it and identifying voids. Apply pressure to individual elements to understand how the material behaves and whether chips appear. If the old layer of ceramics is in poor condition, elements with cracks and potholes should be replaced.
2) Check how evenly the first layer is laid using a special level. The installation depends on this characteristic. If there is a gap between the tool and the wall surface, this place will require significantly more glue. Protruding parts cause the tiles to bulge.

3) An important stage before laying is to clean the existing base with special means, the seams should be treated with a hard-bristled brush. After complete drying, the surface is degreased and a layer of high adhesion primer is applied. This impact will ensure good adhesion of the first and second layers.

Please read the primer instructions carefully and follow the application instructions.

After complete drying, the primer layer should remain intact, even after mechanical impact. If deformation occurs, the composition must be reapplied. Next, you should restore the base, eliminating defects in the form of potholes and chips on the tiles.
4) Installing a new tile on top of the old one.

The installation process takes place using a special spatula with teeth. In order for it to adhere well, it is necessary to use glue with high elastic properties. Thus, cracks will not appear on the surface of the finishing material.

Place the finishing material offset relative to the old ceramics; the seams should not coincide. If cracks appear on the first layer, the new one will remain intact.

If you use elastic adhesive for installation, the joints must also be grouted using products that are resistant to deformation of the elements.

Grouting joints

Grouting is carried out using a metal (or rubber) spatula, as well as a rag. For floor tiles, it is best to avoid grouting light shades because it gets dark very quickly. Remove auxiliary crosses from the seams and the remaining mortar, treat the surface with a rag. Prepare the grout following the instructions. The correct direction when spreading the product with a rubber spatula is: across the seam, then along. After carefully filling all the seams, you must wait the recommended time. We complete the process by wiping the surface with a rag.