How to prepare Pebblecrete patio for tiling?

[mickpolit]

Hey team, 

Just chasing some advice regarding a DIY tiling project I'm contemplating. I plan to tile the front and back patio. Both currently have a thin pebble cover that has started to peel away on the back patio, as per a couple of the pictures, and I assume this will need to be removed prior to laying the tiles. Appears to be concrete underneath. My questions is in regards to how best to do this? Wondering if the Coates Floor grinder, available at my local Bunnings for hire would do the job? Thanks.

 Front patio Front patio Back patio Back patio

[EricL]

Hello @mickpolit 

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

I believe the floor grinder is aimed towards flat concrete surfaces that need to be levelled. I'm not sure if it will strip pebblecrete from concrete floors. I recommend using a Full Boar 1050W 7kg SDS Max Demolition Hammer Kit in combination with a Kango 75mm x 170mm SDS Plus Angled Tiling Chisel or similar. Your objective is to go under the pebblecrete and lift it off the concrete surface for collection.

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 @mickpolit 

Have to admit I'm a bit stumped on this one. I would go with a medium sized pneumatic hammer with a wide chisel. Hopefully once started it will chip off in sections.

Nailbag

[Dave-1]

Good Evening @mickpolit 

With the edges lifting as you have shown I would be thinking that the pebblecreat would also have to go before tiling 😕 Otherwise there will be a high chance of it lifting under the tiles.

I was thinking along the same lines as @EricL  tho my first thought a wide demo blade, and a pound hammer and just working away.  

Craftright 2 Piece Cold Chisel Set 

Craftright 1.35kg Club Hammer 

When tiling remember to keep a slope so the water dosnt pool against the house is about all the extra I can add.

Dave

[mickpolit]

Thanks guys, appreciate the advice. Will give the old chisel and hammer a go and see how it works out before trying the other options. 

[EricL]

Hello @mickpolit 

Please keep us updated with your progress, I'm sure our members will be keen to see when you start tiling.

Eric

[Jason]

Thanks for your feedback @Nailbag. 

We have removed Eric’s reference to the floor stripper as it is not designed for this purpose and might not be safe to use in this scenario.

Thanks again for your valuable input in the discussion.

Jason

[Nailbag]

Have done the same @Jason 

[JacobZ]

Hi @Nailbag,

The specific tool Eric mentioned would likely not be suitable, and we are erring on the side of caution.

A Jack Hammer Trolley and a Medium Breaker with a chisel bit, like you mentioned, would be extremely similar to what Eric mentioned, but far more suitable.

Jacob