tile on concrete

toolbelt Tina

I am at it again. I am going to tile the foyer in the cottage. 6'x7' space

I have chipped away (with a broom handle,)the old leveler product that they previously put down some 19 yrs ago.

There is a crack that might be from two pours (addition) and a valley of stone dust that is 6" by 6" by 4" deep in the one corner.

I have 1.5 inches to clear the bottom of the door. Insulated door so I can't shave it. I don't want to raise the door.

Should I apply a bonding agent and do a skim coat of concrete (like a scratch coat) thus filling in the voids or use a self leveler? Or fill in only the voids with concrete and then use a self leveler?

I figure 1/2" tile and 1/2" thinset and I don't have too much room to play with.

Hopefully my mentor Bud and the rest of wise gents who guided me through by summer bath project are still here.

thx

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Bob Mariani

it appears to be only minor issues with the slap. All can be filled with the thinset when applying the Ditra which will help any cracks or movement in the concrete from transmitting into your tiles. Also helps isolate the concrete moisture.

toolbelt Tina

Do I really need the Ditra? I was trying to save the $ it is a cottage.

Bob Mariani

I would use it if it were mine. But then again I want to keep living in my house and want it to remain looking good. Concrete weeps moisture from below. Concrete continues to cure for ever and cracks as it moves. Ditra will isolate the movement so the tile does not crack also.

itsreallyconc

just me but if bob says ' use it ! ', i sure as **** wouldn't 2nd guess him,,, then again, it IS YOUR cottage ! the usual problem w/taking the cheap route is the cost of repairing what's already been done

racebum

add up the cost. with a 6'x7' room it isn't going to be too crazy. if it were a garage or a larger area i could totally see the cost savings argument. i'm actually going to tile my garage and just use a 1/2 trowel and versabond with whatever tile i can find on sale that fits. ditra is on ebay for 1.81 a square which is cheaper than i've seen it around here.