Remove just tile & Reuse base??

hollywood33

Hi folks, I have a 10 year old house and want to re-do the tile in the bathroom floor. The current tile is the little polygon shaped type attached to mesh in the back. Using a hammer drill and chisel I was able to test and knock off just a few of the tiles I didn't go all the way into the base.

MY QUESTION IS: do I have to remove all the way down to the plywood too or can I knock the tiles off and then just "re-thinset" and "re-tile" over the existing backerboard/thinset base??

I have read I can tile over the tile which does seem pretty solid but I believe the mesh backing makes it easy to pop just the tile off. Removing everything looks like a PITA!! So my other option would be tile over tile!

PLEASE HELP...!!

oh'mike

Tell us what the old tile is set over---reusing the old backer is usually a nightmare---if set with cement based thinset the old cement board will be ruined--if set with a mastic--the old cement board will also be ruined.

If set over plywood---well--you need a tile backer if you want the safest job---

Pictures help--or a better description of what's there will do.

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hollywood33

Ok cool...first level is plywood base, then some type of mortar to which cement board was attached along with screws, then thinset, then the tiles which are on a mesh backing.

Like i mentioned i can slide the chisel right under tiles and pop them off one by one with some force.

I want to know if I can leave the current cement board down and put new tiles on top after removing old poly-shaped tiles.

Attached Images

 

oh'mike

Yes you could reuse the backer board.

I think pulling it out and starting fresh will be easier and give you a smooth surface--leading to a better job---

But in one word--YES---

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hollywood33

Thanks Mike, just busting up to the subfloor is causing so much dust. That mesh backing makes popping those tiles off kinda easy.

Is there any thin-set/mortar you would recommend to use over the old backer board since it still it will still have old thin-set remaining on top??

oh'mike

You wwill want to use a powdered -modified thinset---"Mud" What Is It? - Kitchen & Bath Remodeling - DIY Chatroom - DIY Home Improvement Forum

Also--if the surface is not flat, a Self leveling compound could be used to bury the ridges of the old thinset.

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