How to Lay Ceramic Tile Over Linoleum and Concrete
No other subfloor type is better or more suited to install tile over than a concrete subfloor. Concrete subflooring does not move, bend or flex like wood subflooring. However, if the concrete subflooring currently has linoleum glued to it, the linoleum must be removed before tiling the concrete will be acceptable, even if the linoleum is in good condition. Tile must adhere to concrete directly for the installation to have the longevity that homeowners' desire. If tile is installed over linoleum and the linoleum separates from the concrete, the tile will do the same. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Flooring scraper
- Jasco adhesive remover
- Putty knife
- Crack prevention thin set
- Water
- 5-gallon bucket
- Thin set mixer
- Drill
- Tiling towel
- Tile spacers
- Grout
- Grout float
- Grout sponge
- Penetrating grout and tile sealer
Instructions
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1
Scrape the linoleum off of the concrete subfloor with a hand flooring scraper or an electric flooring scraper. Electric flooring scrapers are much more effective and can be rented from tool rental centers.
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2
Remove the remaining adhesive residue by applying Jasco adhesive remover. This product is a paste (more like a gel) and must sit on the adhesive for at least 30 minutes before scraping the adhesive away with a putty knife.
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3
Mix a 50-pound bag of crack prevention thin set, like FlexBond, in a 5-gallon bucket with a thin set mixer and a drill so it is the consistency of peanut butter. Allow the thin set to rest for a few minutes after mixing.
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4
Spread the thin set over the bare concrete surface with a tiling trowel that is sized appropriately for the tile you are installing. Lay the tile into the wet thin set immediately. Use tile spacers to keep the grout lines uniform and to keep the tile in place while the thin set dries. Allow the thin set to dry for 24 hours after the final tile has been set.
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5
Mix a batch of grout in a 5-gallon bucket with a thin set mixer and a drill. Let the grout rest for 10 minutes after the grout has been mixed to a peanut butter consistency. Spread the grout over the tile and force it into the grout lines with a grout float. Fill the grout lines completely so there are no hidden voids.
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6
Allow the grout to sit for 15 to 20 minutes. Remove the grout haze from the surface of the tile with a grout sponge. Form the grout lines with the corner of the grout sponge. Allow the grout to dry for 24 hours.
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7
Remove the rest of the grout haze from the surface of the tile with a damp grout sponge. Allow the grout to cure for an additional 48 hours. Apply two to three coats of a penetrating grout and tile sealer to the grout lines and allow each coat to dry for two to three hours.
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