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Tiling over tile: do you need to waterproof?

Hi all!

I have a house that was built in the 90s which means there’s lots of ugly tiles in the bathroom, laundry and kitchen.

Because they’re most likely attached to platerboard, it would be too costly for me to rip and replace them so I’d love to tile over them!

I know you can tile over tile and that seems pretty straightforward (I’ve read some great posts on here already) but for wet areas like bathroom and laundry, do you need some sort of waterproofing? Or no, because the existing tile would already have that? Thanks!

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Accepted answers

MitchellMc

Hi @Joan_J,

As long as there is an existing waterproofing layer, then an additional one doesn't need to be installed before re-tiling.

You will need to check for any drummy tiles by tapping on them with the handle of a screwdriver. If any tiles sound hollow, you must remove them and then re-glue them down. Next, check for any high spots and grind them down. Once you have cleaned the floor and walls well, apply a primer to the surface of the existing tiles. This will allow the new tile adhesive to bond well with the old tiles. After the primer dries, you are ready to tile.

You should find these step-by-step guides useful:

How To Lay Floor Tiles

How To Tile A Bathroom Wall

How To Grout Wall Tiles

Please let us know if you need further help or had questions.

Mitchell

All comments

MitchellMc

Hi @Joan_J,

As long as there is an existing waterproofing layer, then an additional one doesn't need to be installed before re-tiling.

You should find these step-by-step guides useful:

How To Lay Floor Tiles

How To Tile A Bathroom Wall

How To Grout Wall Tiles

Please let us know if you need further help or had questions.

Mitchell

Joan_J

This is so helpful, thank you!

abhayks

Hi @MitchellMc @Joan_J ,

I’m in a similar dilemma. House built in 90s but wife wants to replace tiles, starting with laundry and if successful proceed to toilet and bathroom.
we have already installed hybrid flooring on top of kitchen tiles.

why do you think ripping will be costly?

what do you mean attached to plasterboard?

I was thinking of ripping the tiles and putting in new one. As there is just one tile on the wall, I thought it’ll be easy.

In attached picture, the multiple rows of tiles is the floor and single row is on the wall.

MitchellMc

Hi @abhayks,

When removing tiles from plasterboard walls, there is a high chance that you will damage the board in the process. Plasterboard is a relatively soft material and when the tile glue bonds with it, a piece can be ripped out when removing the tiles. The damaged board then needs to be replaced before tiling over, and this is an additional cost. If it is just one row of tiles, it would be easier than a whole wall and there will be potentially less damage caused to the plasterboard. However, you might still need to replace the lower section behind them. Is your wall made from plasterboard?

I'm not sure if you know, but Hybird Flooring can be used in wet areas like bathrooms and laundries as well.

Please let me know if you need further assistance or have questions.

Mitchell

abhayks

Thanks Mate. @MitchellMc

How do I check if my wall is made of plasterboard.

How was constructed in 1996, so fairly old. But the walls are freshly painted.

Also we wanted to extend the tiles to the roof. If not tiles, something else that would not be plain wall. We were thinking of wallpaper, however, for that we will have to remove the bottom most tiles else there will be difference in the level.

Any suggestions ?

MitchellMc

@abhayks,

If you knock on a plasterboard wall, it will sound hollow and resonate a certain amount. A brick wall will not resonate any sound.

I'd suggest investigating wallpaper that is designed to be used in wet areas. The extensive amount of humidity generated in a bathroom can cause standard wallpapers to peel off the wall. As an alternative to wallpaper, we can order in the full range of Bellissi polymer bathroom panels. You might also like to consider Wall Art wet area panelling or Easycraft wet area lining boards. Due to these panels being thicker than wallpaper, you could avoid removing the bottom tiles.

Mitchell

abhayks

Big Thanks mate @MitchellMc

Great options. Will share with wife. I'm sure she'll like them.

The one you shared is particularly amazing looking

Andrear

Hi Michell

thank you for the explanations unfortunately the links of tile over tile above are broken.

Please can we get them back as this will be my new project.

thank you

Juan

EricL

Hello @Andrear

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's wonderful to have you join us, and thank you for sharing your question about tiling.

I've placed the links below that were mentioned in the discussion, please let me know if I've missed the one you were referring to.

If there is another link you are referring to, please let me know.

Eric

Andrear

Hi Eric do we have a video to create a fall on shower floor

thank you

EricL

Hello @Andrear

Here is a link on How to screed a shower base. The techniques used on this small base are applicable on a larger scale. You can also use a builder's line as a guide to create a slope.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

Andrear

Thank you so much, looking at the video, outside the square shower base you are creating. Is higher: it this already tile or did you put higher flooring if so what material was used. Did you place together 2 layers of that material. I am just worried that after I put the tile on top of the base we are creating will be higher than the outside of the base square, lastly do you have a video on putting the shower drain with the new Install tikes.

thank you so much

MitchellMc

Hi @Andrear,

The shower base is tiled, and the floor will be too. In the video, the bathroom floor is not yet tiled, so it will be raised. The tile will be even with the surrounding floor outside of the shower recess. You then install your shower screen on the tiled floor.

Ideally, the shower recess at its higher point shall be at the same level or lower than the area outside of the shower. If your tiles are higher, then you might like to post some images so we can better see what you're working with. Let me know if you need a hand uploading images.

I'm not aware of a video showing installing a shower drain or tiling around it. Once you've inserted the drain, you can mark your tiles where the drain impedes them. Typically this will be on the corners of four tiles. An angle grinder with a diamond blade can be used to cut the corner away from the four tiles. The tiles are then laid around the drain. Remember your PPE when cutting tiles, including safety glasses, a face mask and hearing protection.

Please let me know if you have further questions.

Mitchell

Andrear

Thank you for all your advice. Started my journey will remove everything from the bathroom before getting all materials and equipment from Bunnings. My only question from the pictures attached I was able to remove the tiles there is cement is it better to sand it down or grind it and with what equipment. Or should I change the wetherboard or is it gyprock

completely. Thanks in advance

MitchellMc

If it wasn't for the large hole, then you'd likely be able to apply your tile glue over the existing one without grinding it back if it was in good condition @Andrear. If you do any more damage to the wallboard or compromise the waterproofing, then you'll need to replace the wall sheet. Remember that if the waterproofing is damaged, you'll need to restore it to the shower recess and the whole bathroom floor. It's one continuous layer over the whole bathroom and you can't repair just the shower recesses section. Are you removing the floor tiles as well? You might like to start your own discussion and provide some details on your project. That way we can give you specific advice.

Mitchell

Andrear

Hi mitchell

the hole was done when the plumber fixed the leak. My idea was to remove the tile for the entire bathroom fix the current hole or maybe replace the full piece in that side of the wall with villaboard. Put water proofing on the entire new piece. But I I can see the other walls might need to put water proofing as you can see from the pics there was no water proofing done. I am also doing the floor will remove existing tiles as well.

MitchellMc

Ok @Andrear, I just wanted to ensure you're working on the whole bathroom. Waterproofing is under the tile glue, so you won't necessarily see it, but re-waterproofing sounds like a good idea. In that case, you could remove the glue, but it's a very dusty process. It might be worth speaking with a waterproofer to discuss what type of surface they'll need you to provide.

Mitchell

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