Can new ceramic tile be installed over an existing ceramic tile installation?
There is absolutely no problem to do this providing you are aware of several potential areas of concern. The TCA’s ‘Handbook for Ceramic Tile Installation’ clearly covers with illustrations each step and these potential problem areas. As a quick review: (1) The most important issue to decide is the soundness of the substrate (existing tile) you are going over. If it is solid and tight, your finished application will be the same. If it is loose, so will be your finished application, thus it should be torn out. (2) All soap scum, wax, coatings, oil, etc. must be removed from existing tile. A mechanical abrasion with a Carborundum disk followed by a clean water wash is recommended. (3) The TCA Handbook does not illustrate the best method for covering existing ‘conventional trim’ returns (1/4 Rds, A-106) over cement mortar. Use an A-4200 in reverse and cut to flat side to the exact depth, usually about 1″. To cover surface returns, use “conventional trim.
There is absolutely no problem to do this providing you are aware of several potential areas of concern. The TCA’s ‘Handbook for Ceramic Tile Installation’ clearly covers with illustrations each step and these potential problem areas. As a quick review: (1) The most important issue to decide is the soundness of the substrate (existing tile) you are going over. If it is solid and tight, your finished application will be the same. If it is loose, so will be your finished application, thus it should be torn out. (2) All soap scum, wax, coatings, oil, etc. must be removed from existing tile. A mechanical abrasion with a Carborundum disk followed by a clean water wash is recommended. (3) The TCA Handbook does not illustrate the best method for covering existing ‘conventional trim’ returns (1/4 Rds, A-106) over cement mortar. Use an A-4200 in reverse and cut to flat side to the exact depth, usually about 1″.
