www.ultimatehandyman.co.uk

Hi All,

I'm looking for some advice regarding flooring.

All of my ground floor rooms have an asphalt layer, which I believe this acts as a damp proof membrane. In the kitchen the asphalt has deteriorated and started to break up all over the floor (this is because vinyl tiles were glued directly onto the asphalt many years ago - not by me!) . I am going to be tiling the floor and so need a level surface to start from. I plan to take up all of the asphalt and the tiles that are stuck to it. I believe (don't actually know) that there is concrete beneath it. (House is mid 80's).

My question is, do I need an asphalt layer? When I take up the asphalt layer I won't have a damp proof membrane, so what is the modern way to lay a damp proof membrane on the ground floor? I've been quote £400 to remove & replace the current asphalt, which I don't want to pay.
Someone has told me that a self leveling compound would suffice, but I'm hesitant to just use that alone i.e. and not have a damp proof membrane.
.
Any advice would be much appreciated

Thanks

Most likely the asphalt is the adhesive used for the Marley tiles and not as you believe, a damp proof membrane.

Take the tiles up and the asphalt can be tiled directly over whilst following the instructions on the adhesive bag.

I'm not so sure; the asphalt is at least 1.5cm deep, so I doubt adhesive would be that thick... Plus the same asphalt is in all ground floor rooms - only the kitchen has the old vinyl tiles on top of it.

The asphalt has cracked up all over the floor, so I'm left with an uneven loose surface - this can't be good to tile on.

Paint on damp proof membrane....F Ball,..my choice...
Latex self levelling compound ....F Ball,...my choice...again...
Slurry coat....opc/sbr mix.


Anyone off the above prior to tile fixing....

Just follow mfr advice re:primer for above first 2 products..

Ment to say you can also use a rapid set adhesive as well,as long as its asphalt that's on the subfloor..?

Or a cement backer board/insulation board....Marmox/hardie /aquapanel ect....