lifted up old tiles.. now what ?

[vertygo]

Hey all,

We're replacing all the tiles in the entranceway.. I had no troubles, lifting/breaking up the old tiles (concrete underneath) but should I do something about the stuff the tiles were set into ? It's really hard, and I think it's flat/rough enough to put a layer on top.

Just wanted some input.

Thanks!

[sao95]

chip it up the best you can, the smoother you get it the easier it will be to lay new tile

[mnsahd]

chip it up the best you can, the smoother you get it the easier it will be to lay new tile

And then put a floor heater down under the tile. ;)

[Mark B.]

Is the cement under the tiles the original slab or was there a "mud job" installed under them. Mud jobs are often done to really help level the subsurface and also helps keep tiles from cracking over time in heavy traffic areas. It also is very easy to take up and replace to give a nice claen surface for new tile installation. If it is the original concrete slab I would try to get as much of the high spots as low as possible. The size of the notches in the trowel will probably be able to handle the rest foor good adheasion of the new tiles.

[vertygo]

Thanks for all the input!

I'm actually going to look into that scarifier/grinder tool. It's not really a huge job, about 150 sq ft. but if I can rent one, makes life easier.

Otherwise I guess do the old hands and knees method with a chisel or somesuch.

Cheers

[sao95]

personally before you do all that I'd take a sledge or hand sledge and give it a few good whacks. the mortar and cement are cold jointed together, which means it's a weak spot, if the mortar has a bit of thickness to it you should be able to get the majority of it up just hitting it.

[Mark B.]

personally before you do all that I'd take a sledge or hand sledge and give it a few good whacks. the mortar and cement are cold jointed together, which means it's a weak spot, if the mortar has a bit of thickness to it you should be able to get the majority of it up just hitting it.
I agree 100%. Something else to consider. Vertygo, you did not tell us if it is a slab or not. I am assuming it is. If it is be SURE there is no baseboard heating pipe running under the area that you plan to use this machine on. It could cause a big wet problem if you crack the pipe. Then again this would solve your problem. The foyer would be dug up to replace the broken pipe.

[vertygo]

[QUOTE=Louis]True. We've used them on industrial projects where the floor slabs are humongous usually to remove hazardous or radioactive chemicals that have leached through the tile and the floor.QUOTE]

Most of that material is kept in the bathroom ;)

I'm pretty there's no piping under the cement slab, but I will keep that in mind. As I've never used a grinder before, I will do some test runs etc. Safety equipment, of course, I'm not 20 anymore :D

As for hitting it.. I'm not sure that would actually do anything, but hey, good stress reliever so why not.