Tiling on top of existing kitchen floor tiles - is the surface ok?

[Jayneo]

Hello hive mind! I thought I would try tiling my kitchen floor but I have a concern…

The reason we are retiling is because I tried to spruce up the old ones with tile paint (reputable brand that seemed to offer a robust system), but the paint started peeling up very quickly in areas, particularly near the external door and washing machine (see photo). I tried again, diligently degreasing and keying up everywhere and being overly cautious with drying times, and the same happened. So I removed the flaky parts and we’ve just lived with it for over a year. Now we’ve got hold of some nice new encaustic tiles that were on sale, and about to get stuck in installing them.

We were thinking of just tiling straight over the old ones, as the nice new kitchen cabinets (installed 2 years ago) stand on top of the current tiles, we thought it would just be simpler to tile up to the legs (the kick board would hide this anyway), and that the current tiles would give a nice level base.

However it’s started playing on my mind as to why the paint didn’t stick to the tiles…might it be a problem with damp? Perhaps moisture within the substrate? If the tile primer didn’t stick then why would the slurry bonding coat?

I have a feeling you’ll say pull up the tiles…

I think it’ll be concrete below, but to be honest I have no idea what horrors may be waiting under there. When we had damp treated in the walls and then a new kitchen installed, we found out this extended part of the house (over 50YO, with no paperwork), is one brick between us and the neighbour (the electrician accidentally drilled a hole into the neighbours kitchen yikes!) so who knows what else may be discovered!

Any advice would be gratefully received. Thanks in advance!

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[dewaltdisney]

I think you would be best off pulling them up, easy with one of these https://www.screwfix.com/p/titan-ttb653 ... 240v/6846h and a tile removing SDS chisel about £8 on Amazon. Once you have chopped off the tiles and most of the residual adhesive pour self-levelling compound down to get a nice smooth substrate. Forget ceramic and look at vinyl sheet flooring or stuck down vinyl planks or tiles which are warmer and look good. Have a look https://www.ukflooringdirect.co.uk/vinyl-flooring I would say this is within the realm of DIY if you take your time and get it right. The Titan is a great tool to have anyway as it can be used for many jobs when you want a bit of grunt.

DWD

[Jayneo]

Thanks for the response DWD. I've already bought the encaustic tiles, sitting in my living room waiting to be installed...eek! If I don't manage a convincing solution with these I shall take your advice and consider a vinyl option. Thanks again

[wine~o]

Jayneo, Tiling on top of the original tiles whilst do-able will cause other problems. Just look at the door in your pic. 6mm tile adhesive plus the thickness of the tiles and the door won't open, Rip the old tiles up as DWD says.

[Jayneo]

Thank you Wine-o. Yes it would make it level with the bottom of the frame which I agree wouldn't look great, but the door does open outwards so that wouldn't be an issue. Perhaps though for the poor cats who will have to army crawl their way out! Starting to think you're right though, I should just bite the bullet and rip em up

[dewaltdisney]

That SDS drill and chisel I recommended will really make short work of lifting the tiles. I have used mine to do it on a number of occasions and once you are into the first tile you hit the edges of the adjacent tiles rather than dig under them. The vibration just breaks them free. You can then go over again and chop the adhesive free. See this as an example https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2UKM7_h9-Y

DWD