Tiling on top of old bitumen?

[Nigel 206]

I'm about to lay new indian slate 300x300 on my kitchen floor.

I'm lifting old grey and brittle marley-type tiles, and there is a thin layer
of black glue/bitumen being left behind.

Do I need to treat this stuff with something before cementing new tiles?

Thanks
Nigel

[DTWCeramics]

Is the layer of glue properly solid to the substrate?

If it's well adhered, treat it with a primer (not PVA) - Granfix Primer & Bonder, Ardex P51 etc etc

Use a nice high-flex adhesive, Ardex 7001, X7R, S16 - any of these with the E90 additive will be good.

Don't forget to seal the tiles before grouting as they are a natural stone product.

Hope this helps,

Cheers

EDIT: Ensure that all floors are dust free before priming

[Colour Republic]

Is this a spec you've got off Ardex DTW? will they guarantee it?

[DTWCeramics]

It's not a spec from Ardex, no. It's what a tiler who uses us has done recently.

Ardex don't generally give out specs unfortunately, would be great if they did though.

Only thing they specify is use on wood & compatibility with UFH normally.

[Colour Republic]

I think most manufacturers would recommend removing most of it before tiling, sometimes 80/90% of it. If that is not possible then remove what you can then apply a slurry coat before proceeding, in addition an SLC would also be beneficial. Just priming over it then cracking on is not something i'd recommend

[DTWCeramics]

Cheers for the heads up CR.

What SLC's have you used in past on the stuff? Any Ardex or Granfix ones that you could recommend?

We seem to clash a bit here don't we!!

Cheers

[Colour Republic]

TBH it's not something I come across a lot and each time i've used different brands but a quick call to their technical departments and you'll usually get answers on best way to proceed specific to their products.

I wouldn't say we clash although I know it seems i keep disagreeing with you on some threads. You give a lot of sound advice on here, it's just now and again i don't think enough detail has been given so don't want the OP to go down the wrong route

[DTWCeramics]

Cheers, and yeah, I agree.

Would probably help with advice a bit more if I had experience on the tools, only done a minor amount of tiling in the past unfortunately!


It's all good fun though :)

Cheers

[Nigel 206]

So far, an SLC is a School Leaving Certificate [Nepal] or a Space Launch Complex.
Hmm, has this turned into rocket science?

I've noted the adhesives and primers and will adhere to these recommendations as far
as practical.
CR, what else will stick to the bitumen better than primer? [btw, the bitumen is fairly well stuck
to the substrate]

In between the bun fight, I appreciate your interest, thanks guys.
Nige

[DTWCeramics]

SLC = Self levelling compound,

It's pretty much a powder you either mix with latex or water, pour it on the floor and smooth it out.

Arditex NA comes to mind, it's a 2 part product (1 part powder 1 part latex), sticks to pretty much anything (including steel!)

Takes about 45-1hr to set dependant on thickness, will give you a solid substrate.

As CR has said RE: Bitumen, get as much of it up as you can. You want to get to the screed underneath for a fixing point for the SLC.

BTW: Buns are lovely (be they food or womens parts!)

[haveagohero]

Last time we did one like this we over layed with 6mm hardie backer plugged and screwed then slc over the top of that, worked well was nice and solid and flat

[Wes]

Bun fight

It's just good to see a couple of decent chaps sorting there disagreements out amicably without getting their knickers in a twist...Bravo chaps

[DTWCeramics]

Bun fight

It's just good to see a couple of decent chaps sorting there disagreements out amicably without getting their knickers in a twist...Bravo chaps

I go commando ;)