Can you lay new shower tiles over old?

[Molo]

I have just purchased a home and the shower floor tiles are dirty and stained and I have tried heaps of cleaning products, but to no avail. I'm thinking of having a professional lay new tiles over the existing ones. Is this workable ?

[EricL]

Hello @Molo 

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

If the current shower is still in good condition and there are no leaks, and the only fault is that tile surface is stained then yes, you can tile over the existing shower tiles. My best advice is to ask your tiler for a reference and a few photos of their past work. 

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

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

[Dave-1]

Good Evening @Molo 

Would there be a chance of a photo of the tiles, close up and overall type shots It will help with some ideas on how to tackle the staining. One of the community might recognise the style of stain and lead us towards an answer

I would definently be trying a few more options to remove the stain before tiling over it.

Dave

[Nailbag]

Hi @Molo 

Laying tiles over tiles isn't the avenue I would go down due to an unreasonable potential for failure. There is a high risk if not properly prepared, the adhesive might not stick well to existing glazed or contaminated tiles. How the increased raised height is finished to the waste drain is another concern. I would be more inclined to paint the tiles, but again the preparation is the most important part of the project.

Perhaps as my other brains trusts have mentioned, a few clear photos will give us a better idea of the situation.

Nailbag