Tiling- Concrete substrate-OK to use mastic??
Question:Hi,
I have a old rec room that is a concrete slab that I want to tile. There used to be vinyl on it. I took it up and scrubbed the floor to get all the adhesive off. I was going to use mastic to put the tiles on. Is this OK? Is there anything I should look out for as far as using it? Or is there something better that I should use?
Thanks for your time
pb4sc
Answers:
If there are no sealers left on the concrete you will want to use thinset. You would have to put the mastic on very thick to make it work because it would asorb some of the mastic. If the concrete is sealed, the masitc might work. The problem with mastic is that it dries out and becomes brittle with age.
Something you might want to consider is laying 15# roofer's felt with the mastic and rolling it down with a 100lb vinyl flooring roller to get a good bond between the mastic and the felt. And then laying the tile with thinset over the roof felt.
I learned this trick from a representative from a major tile distributor in Central Pa while I was designing and building a kitchen and bath showroom for a regional home center chain. They did their displays that way at their showroom and it lasted very well and also gave them the ability to quickly change out a discontinued color.
I actually did my bathrooms using the felt over plywood and have excellent results.
If your on concrete slab, then why not use thin set? You will be much happier with the finished job. I just did my kitchen using 1/2" cement board and warm tiles heating cable. My wife loves it.
Make sure you have all the old adhesive up and its sanded smooth,than flooring mastic is an is an ideal thing to use. Check the back of the tiles box to see what size notched trowel to use.Should be on the can of mastic also.1/4 or 5/16 probably. Bye Oh, wear old clothes,you'll get it on you!
Use thin set it will hold up better . Good luck
use thinset it dries faster and will set stronger
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