How to fix or replace outdoor courtyard tiles?

[sallypotato]

Hi everyone 

I am seeking ideas for cost effective ways to replace or fix the existing slate tiles in our outdoor courtyard (which is completely outdoors with no cover). There is an existing concrete slab, however, the slate tiles on top have deteriorated significantly (see photos). 

I am considering:

1. Using a hammer drill to remove the remaining tiles, then retiling DIY, but unsure how even the surface will be with this approach.

2. Tiling over the top of the tiles DIY, maybe using sand as a base. 

I have only a modest budget. Would welcome any ideas for how to improve this area!

Thank you

[MitchellMc]

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @sallypotato. It's amazing to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about replacing outdoor tiles.

The more effort you put into removing the old tile adhesive, the smoother your surface will be for new tiles — unfortunately, there’s really no shortcut for that part. How much work it takes will depend on how strongly the slate was bonded to the slab in the first place.

You could technically pave over the top of the slate with something like outdoor pavers on a sand base, but if you’re planning to use standard thin tiles, it’s hard to find an adhesive that’s recommended for direct use over slate.

Personally, I’d lean toward your first option — remove the slate (or at least do a small test section first to see how easily it comes up). If it comes away fairly easily, you can continue D.I.Y. Worst case, after you’ve removed the tiles with a rotary hammer drill, you could get a professional in to grind the remaining glue flat so you’re starting with a perfect base.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell