Question: How To Lay Tile On Concrete Basement Floor?

Can you tile directly on concrete basement floor?

A: It’s perfectly acceptable to put tile directly on concrete — with a couple of caveats. First, it is important to determine if there is moisture coming up from the slab. You can test for moisture by taping all four sides of 18-by-18-inch polyurethane plastic on the slab.

How do you prepare a concrete floor for tile?

Start by sweeping your concrete floor to get rid of all dust and debris. Then clean with a wet mop of plain water. Use a few tablespoons of a degreasing cleaner in warm water and scrub the concrete with a scrub brush. Finally, rinse thoroughly.

Do I need backer board for floor tile on concrete?

Normally, installing cement board is not regarded as necessary when you are laying tile onto a concrete slab since this subfloor is already cementitious—adding cement board would be redundant. The concrete has been painted over, and paint is not an acceptable surface for thin-set adhesive or mortar.

Should I seal concrete floor before tiling?

You should seal the floor with a suitable primer that is compatible with the adhesive you buy. i.e. buy Ardex primer for Ardex adhesive, BAL primer for BAL adhesives Effectively it stops the draw (the sponge effect of the dry concrete) and creates a better adhesive bond.

What is the best flooring to put on a concrete floor?

Ceramic tile is the designer’s choice, with tons of colors and styles. It’s unaffected by moisture and goes directly onto concrete that’s smooth and free of cracks. Vinyl tile and sheet flooring also goes directly over prepared concrete and will withstand even minor flooding with no ill effect.

What kind of Thinset do you use for concrete floors?

Modified thinset is the product of choice for most tile installations because of its increased strength and bonding with minimal shrinkage, which means a reduced chance of cracks forming in the tile. WarmlyYours Radiant Heating recommends modified thinset mortar for nearly all tile and stone installations.

What is the best primer for concrete floor?

Epoxy primer is actually able to absorb into the concrete and creates a great grip on the surface of the concrete for painting. Because this type of primer is so durable, it is the most appropriate for industrial or commercial buildings.

Do you need a moisture barrier under ceramic tile?

Ceramic Tile and Water



But if moisture seeps through the grout in the joints between tiles, it can degrade the thin-set adhesive used to secure the tile and cause the floor to fail. The grout used to fill the joints between tiles is not naturally waterproof, so it needs to be sealed to prevent moisture infiltration.

Do you need underlay on concrete floors?

Concrete bases need an underlay with a moisture barrier, a damp proof membrane (DPM) or a separate barrier to protect the floor from damp. If the sub-floor is wooden the choice of underlay will depend on what is being laid on top.

Do I need a subfloor over concrete?

While a subfloor is not necessary to add structural strength when you’ll be laying finish flooring on top of a concrete slab (as in a basement remodel), subflooring over concrete offers two other advantages: A subfloor will help insulate against a concrete floor that becomes overly cold in winter.

Can you use 1/4 inch cement board on floors?

Floors: A 1/4–inch minimum thickness is needed, but thicker panels are also fine. Walls: Use 1/2-inch or 5/8-inch-thick cement board, not 1/4–inch. The extra thickness is needed to span the studs and provide a solid base for the tile.

Does mortar stick to concrete?

Concrete slab was the foundation, original tile installation had mortar applied directly to concrete slab. Concrete, mortar or similar materials are not designed to stick or bond to old surfaces. You will not get any satisfactory results if you simply add new mortar to old. It just doesn’t work.