I want to re-do my bathroom. Can we put new tile on top of old tile?
Question:We currently have generic white ugly tile surrounding the top of the bathtub and a lil bit of the walls. I am apprehensive of removing that and putting new tile because of possible damage underneath it. Is it possible to just place new tile on top of that? If so, how? Thanks for the input :O)
Answers:
There is no reason that you can't go over old tile, but if it is old and ugly...and you are going thru the expense of new tile...Do yourself a favor and pull the old stuff down. Worst case scenario you put up some new backer board and re tile with a fresh new surface.
If you go over the old tile, you have to keep in mind that the new tile will add about 1/2 inch to the thickness of the wall. THis can wreck havoc on plumbing spacing for handles and faucets. It will also eat up 1/2 inch of the tub reveal (the top lip of the tub that you can see).
Pulling the old stuff down gives the opportunity to do new faucet, shower head and handles too. It would be like a new bathroom when you were done.
The cost for backer board is only about 5-8 bucks a sheet (last time I bought it anyway). The end result will be a lot nicer than a cobbled up job where you went over the old stuff.
If you were doing a floor, you could go over the old tile easily. and it wouldn't be a bad idea.
If the old tile is solid, it makes a good base for the new. Clean and rough up the surface of the old tile so the thinset will stick.
It really depends on the tile and the suspected quality of the underlying structure. If it's ceramic tile, there's really no option other than to take it off. If it's vinyl tile, you can typically do one layer on top of an older one, but I wouldn't recommend more than one layer. Given that it's in your bathroom and it sounds like it's what makes up your surround, it is probably ceramic - or something like that - so you should take it down first.
Trust me on this... quality and time up front is much better than dealing with the results of a rushed job.
Yes, you can tile over ceramic tile with ceramic tiles. I would use a mastic tile adhesive though. You may just want to replace the top row or add tile to the ceiling. It would be risky trying to remove the top row because your under-structure on the top and bottom rows is usually the weakest from moisture. If it is white, you could trim it in another color. If you tile over tile, it's usually just on the floor.
You can go right over the existing tile, providing it is ceramic tile and in good shape. You'll want to sand down the surface, is all.
Also, use a quality, latex-modified, thinset for the job. It'll stick to almost anything. Don't use ready-mix (Mastic). It is organic, can re-emulsify and lose bond or, more importantly, attract mold and mildew.
Yes you can go over the existing tile,
However will your existing plumbing(bathtub spout, handles etc)be long enough to fit through another layer of tile and mud, and if you ever have a leak what kind of busting out will you have to do?
I concur.
If the old tile is OK mortar right over it and lay your tile.
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