Tiling a bathroom... with uneven floors

dianaslik

We are looking at tiling our bathroom... However, our house is a pier and beam construction, and around 60 yrs old. Needless to say, the floor is not flawless. It currently has linoleum "tiles" that are worn out (some have slipped and some are coming up due to water damage, which is being addressed).
Obviously, tile is not the most forgiving of materials. Thus, I have some questions:
-Is tiling the floor even an option? (maybe using the "sheets" of 2" tiles, instead of larger tiles?)
-If tiling the floor is an option, what kind of products are recommended to smooth the uneven spots?
-If tiling the floor is not an option, how about just the shower area?
-Is linoleum the way to go, to avoid the whole tiling fiasco?

Thanks for any help!

Just Bill

For ceramic tile, a floor must be rigid, in standard construction that is 3/4 plywood and 1/2 hardibacker or similar, glued(thinset) and screwed down, or whatever is needed to get the floor to 1 1/4". The old way was cement(mud) over metal lath wire nailed to the subfloor. If your floor is uneven, you could add a layer of plywood over the existing floor after shimming. Or you could dam all crevices and openings and pour leveling compound, then tile on top of that.

homedude

I would recommend DuraCeramic in your situation.

IceT

That would be a good option for you

jamesthetoolman

why do you need 1-1/4" and how would you make sure the shower floor is water proof? do you need to add a rubber liner?

nateyro

As far as the shower tiling goes it depends on what your existing shower base is made of now.. But in order to tile a shower base from scratch it's a little bit of a process.. The floor should be supported well first of all.. But the process consist of using tar paper then a mud mix as a base then a waterproof membrane liner then mud again.. As well as screeding the top layer of mud to make the right slope to your drain.. They make a easy product for that called quick pitch..then you mortar then tile and grout.. Theres a few videos online that can show you step by step as well.. Hope that helped somewhat.. Check this link out
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JNB8b...e_gdata_player

12penny

Wheres Bud?

What size floor joists?
OC spacing of joists?
What style floor joists?
If dimensional, species of joists?

oh'mike

Get us the floor joist size and spacing and the unsupported span and one of us will see if your floor is strong enough for tile.

Sub floor needs 3/4" ply for proper structure--If the subfloor is dimentional lumber you will need a layer if 1/2" bc ply on top .

Backer board add no strength to the system--only an ideal bonding surface---so 1/4" durrock set in thinset and nailed or screwed is plenty.

Self leveling compound could be used on top of the backer board if needed.

Here is a link to shower building Building a shower pan with pre-sloped mortar bed, liner and curb.

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drtbk4ever

Original post was from 2009. I don't think the OP is coming back.

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Bill

A DIY Noob that knows just enough to be dangerous.

12penny

Doh!!

nateyro

Wow didn't I didn't notice the post date..

oh'mike

That happens----You would be surprised at the number of times the original poster returns after months or even years because they have E mail notification still linked to the post---

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nateyro

I did post a thread you guys might be able to answer for me.. It's along the same lines..it's about how to get the right slope to tile a shower floor in a big shower.. I've used the quick pitch before but they don't make a setup that is big enough for me to use on this shower... They are only made to use when your drain is no further than 36" from the wall and mines quite a bit further than that..

DIYWorker

Hope he got his floor done!

jamesthetoolman

thanks for the help
new to this, sorry it took me so long to respond.
You guys where a big help thanks alot