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How to tile over existing tiles?

Hi,

I'm upgrading an odd and tired old bathroom/ensuite and am in 2 minds about how to proceed. The bathroom is tiled to a height of around 1.5m, and I want to completely re-tile to ceiling height (very low ceilings at 2.2m in this bathroom). Wall construction is solid brick, with brick exposed above the tiled surface. Tiles and brick work are sound. Given likely binding strength of tiles to brick, it would be easier tile over existing tiles. I would need to either render the exposed brick or install Vilaboard (alternative options welcomed) to same surface level of existing tiles. Is this a better option than removing all tiles and starting from scratch (with rendered wall or Vilaboard, other)? If so, what prep do I need to ensure new tiles stick? What elsed do I need to consider?

Thanks heaps!

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EricL

Hello @Quoll

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's sensational to have you join us, and thanks for sharing your question about your bathroom.

Although the odds are high that the tiles are secure on the brick wall there is also the possibility that some of them are not so secure. I would advise to remove all the old tiles and rendering the wall for a fresh new start. Another issue is waterproofing, old and new water proofing is not going to work as the new one will not bind to the old one, so the old tiles have to be removed. A freshly rendered wall will guarantee that the walls will be straight and level which will allow you to put on a homogenous coat of waterproofing.

The rest of the steps will be fairly straight forward; you allow the waterproofing to cure. You can then tile the bathroom using standard tile adhesive and add the rest of the accessories you want to install in the bathroom.

Let me call on our experienced members @Dave-1 and @Nailbag for their recommendations.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

Nailbag

Hi @Quoll

Thats a great project you have ahead of you. Technically as long as there is a high confidence the existing tiles are well secured to the wall and properly prepared then yes, you can tile straight over. However, this is why I wouldn't:

1. Adding tile adhesive, plus the thickness of the new tiles will become problematic in finish height. The tiles will stick out over the edge of the vanity instead of being recessed.

2. Potential issues relating to plumbing fittings and fixtures like the toilet and the cistern tap. You will need a plumber to advise and prepare in either scenario. Same for electrical outlets. Typically there is almost no cable slack with masonry mounted GPO's So you will need a sparky in any case.

3. X-number layers of cement sheeting will need to be fixed to the brick wall above the existing tiles to tile face level.

4. It's not that big a job to remove the old tiles if you hire a pneumatic hammer drill with wide chisel attachment and start from an all-over even surface.

Below is a similar project to yours I did a few years back. It was basically a days work to prepare this dated 2nd ensuite. This made building the new one so much easier than work arounds and enabled me to place new fittings exactly where I wanted them both electrically and plumbing wise.

Nailbag

Ensuite 2.jpeg

Dave-1

Morning @Quoll

Kind of envious that you have a brick wall to work with, envious as I think it would be easier over all to only worry about a solid wall.

I am also on the side of remove the old before you start afresh. Same reasoning @EricL and @Nailbag have given pretty much.

It will make it easier, well non existant transition fro, teh old tiles to the new above that existing level, no hidden issues to deal with after you go to the effort of renovating. You will be waterproofing no mater what so making a job easier is worth the hassel of removing the old tiles.

Dave

Quoll

Hi EricL

Thanks for your dvie and referring my question on.

Quoll

Hi Nailbag,

Thanks for the advice and photos. I'll need to rethink my approach and take on boar your suggestions.

Quoll

Hi Dave,

Thanks for adding to the advice. It's clear that I'll need to chnge my approach!

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