Page 1 of 1

Removing tile adhesive from backer board

Posted: Thu Nov 07, 2013 6:38 pm
by rou
Hi,
I need to remove old tile adhesive from backer boards to replace my floor tiles. What is the easiest way to do it?
The adhesive is water resistent so water makes no difference... Removing the entire boards is not an option.
If it is not easy to remove, then can I tile over it? If so what is the minumum thickens of new adhesive I can use? I reaaly do not want to raise the floor noticably.
Thanks.

Re: Removing tile adhesive from backer board

Posted: Thu Nov 07, 2013 6:45 pm
by Colour Republic
is this where you have removed 1 or 2 tiles or the whole floor?

Re: Removing tile adhesive from backer board

Posted: Thu Nov 07, 2013 6:47 pm
by rou
Its an area of about 3x3m in total but within this there is a C shape kitchen. I only wanted to remove and replace the visible ones as they come unstuck. It was badly done the first time. About 12 tiles 400x400 square.

Re: Removing tile adhesive from backer board

Posted: Thu Nov 07, 2013 6:51 pm
by wine~o
Sharp chisel, eye protection...and care..

Re: Removing tile adhesive from backer board

Posted: Thu Nov 07, 2013 6:56 pm
by rou
wine~o
Not excactly the answer that I was hopping for but I suppose, I have to give it a try...
If that fails, would it work if I add another layer of thin adhesive over? The old adhesive seems to be very well bonded to the boards but it comes off very easy from the porcelain tiles.

Re: Removing tile adhesive from backer board

Posted: Thu Nov 07, 2013 6:59 pm
by wine~o
Porky tiles need a decent adhesive..you'll only be able to use a THICKER bed..as in it'll need to overcome the existing..


pics of what you have may help

Re: Removing tile adhesive from backer board

Posted: Thu Nov 07, 2013 7:06 pm
by rou
As you cas see on the pictures, there are about 16 tiles which are visible. Some of them half way under the kitchen. Not all are lose. I thick the backer boards towards the front (as seen on the photo) were not screwed properly and they move.

Re: Removing tile adhesive from backer board

Posted: Thu Nov 07, 2013 7:25 pm
by darrenba
The backer boards should be stuck and screwed - not just screwed.

Re: Removing tile adhesive from backer board

Posted: Fri Nov 08, 2013 6:39 pm
by rou
I decided to remove all the tiles and backer board and do the job from the beggining.
The floor is 22mm chipboard on insulation, on structural plywood, on timber TJI joists. It is very solid but obviously as with all timber floors there is a bit of movement when loaded.
What is the best way forward? Backerboards glued and screwed or can I just use that flexible tiling subase (dont know the name) and just attach it with adhesive to the chipboard?

Re: Removing tile adhesive from backer board

Posted: Tue Nov 12, 2013 5:13 pm
by haveagohero
Backer board it again. were there any cracks in the tile adhesive after you lifted the tiles? you need to find out why the tiles lifted before you do anything else

Re: Removing tile adhesive from backer board

Posted: Sun Nov 17, 2013 12:55 am
by royaloakcarpentry
The battens on the floor are probably floating and not fixed. That will more than likely be the problem.

We get it all the time in certain developments where we are the preferred contractor. The typical one is 2X2 batten with a foam applied to the underside. This sits on the concrete slab. Insulation or no insulation between. Then 18mm chipboard flooring. The tiling jobs always fail. Either just the grout joints or tiles also.

The picture you included with the floor and the single tile stood up.............the job was never done correctly in the first place. Porcelain tiles should be back buttered and that has not been. Initially there was a poor bond between tile and floor.

If tiling onto a chipboard floor then BAL Fastflex or similar is a more prudent adhesive to use than a standard cement based addy.