A: The short answer is, most likely, yes. If your tiles are in relatively good condition—evenly placed, without cracks, and not appearing to retain any moisture—then you can probably leave them underneath your new layer of tile when going about installing a new floor or even a backsplash.

Can you put waterproof membrane over existing tiles?

ANSWER – If the ceramic tile is already installed there is no way to fully waterproof the floor after the fact, unless you replace the tile and install a legitimate waterproof membrane during the replacement process. Some people will try to put a sealer on the grout joints, but that doesn’t waterproof it.

Can you cover old tile with new tile?





If your old ceramic tile is worn or dated, you can lay new tile right over the old, and avoid the huge job of tearing out the old tile. In fact, pros do it all the time.

Can you put a new tile floor over an old tile floor?

If your existing tile is not cracked and can provide a solid foundation, it can serve as a subfloor for a new layer of tile to be installed on top of it. Another necessary precaution is to make sure your floor is level before installing new tile.

Is tiling over tiles a good idea?

Can you tile over tiles? Yes, you can and it can be great for a fast room update, too. Saving time and effort is always a good idea, as pulling the existing tiles is hard labour. However, there are factors to consider before choosing this method for a bathroom or kitchen update.

How can I waterproof my shower without removing tiles?

How to Repair a Leaking Shower Without Removing Tiles

  1. Remove the old grout.
  2. Clean between the tiles.
  3. Regrout and replace damaged tiles.
  4. Clear away waste materials.
  5. Seal the shower with silicone.
  6. Apply two coats of clear waterproofing.




How do you cover existing bathroom tiles?

How To Cover Bathroom Wall Tiles [5 Easy Ways!]

  1. Paint them with waterproof paint, such as epoxy.
  2. Cover them with a shower curtain liner.
  3. Install a shower liner or surround kit.
  4. Apply wall stickers that can be used in a high-humidity environment.
  5. Attach beadboard panels painted with waterproof paint.

How do you replace floor tiles without removing them?

6 ways to upgrade your flooring without removing tiles

  1. Use Vinyl Flooring. Vinyl flooring is available in the form of luxury vinyl flooring and traditional vinyl flooring. …
  2. Roll out Rugs and Carpets. …
  3. Install Laminated Wooden Flooring. …
  4. Opt for an Epoxy coating. …
  5. Choose Artificial Grass. …
  6. Just Clean the Tiles.


What flooring can you put over ceramic tiles?

The following types of flooring can be placed over ceramic tile:

  • Cork Flooring. Cork is an ideal flooring option for ceramic tile in spaces where water is likely to be spilled. …
  • Laminate Flooring. …
  • Hardwood Flooring. …
  • Carpet.

How do you replace kitchen tiles without removing them?



Use decorative panels to cover wall tiles without removing them

  1. Wooden decorative panels: perfect to bring nature, relax and personality to the wall.
  2. Imitation brick panels: ideal for giving a New York touch to the kitchen.
  3. Decorative stone panels: combine them with plants and flowers to accentuate their presence.

Do you need to waterproof when tiling over tiles?

Re: Tiling over tile: do you need to waterproof? Hi @Joan_J, As long as there is an existing waterproofing layer, then an additional one doesn’t need to be installed before re-tiling. You will need to check for any drummy tiles by tapping on them with the handle of a screwdriver.

How much does it cost to tile over tile?

The labor cost for installing tiles is about $4 to $32 per square foot. Labor costs range from $4 to $14 per square foot for floor tiling, while those for a backsplash or countertop are about $25 to $32 per square foot.

What is the best adhesive for tile on tile?

Thinset Mortar



Best Glue for Tile: Mastic or Thinset Mortar
Take a close look. If the adhesive looks like dried glue, use mastic (view example on Amazon). If it looks like cement, premixed thinset is the best choice (view example on Amazon).

Is tile adhesive better than thinset?

If installing a small area of ceramic floor or wall tiles, mastic is the better choice. The adhesive is premixed, does not require water and will hold the tiles in place with no beating or additives. If installing a large amount of tiles, stone tiles or glass tiles, thinset mortar should be used.

Is thinset the same as tile adhesive?

Thinset mortar is your default tile mortar for most indoor and outdoor applications. Thinset is a mortar that is made of Portland cement, silica sand, and moisture-retaining agents. Thinset tile mortar has a smooth, slippery consistency, similar to mud. It is applied to the substrate with a notched trowel.

Should I use thinset or mastic?

Thinset can be used in very wet areas, even areas that will be completely submerged in water. Mastic can be used in dry or damp areas only. It cannot be used in areas that will be submerged in water, such as swimming pools. Thinset can be used for showers, bathtubs, backsplashes and other areas.

How thick can you apply mastic?



Proper installation requires a finished mastic bed thickness of 1/32″ after beat-in. Avoid mastic squeeze up between tiles.

Do I want sanded or unsanded grout?

Sanded grout is best for grout lines ranging from 1/8-inch to 1/2-inch. Grout lines wider than 1/2-inch are impractical and will crack and become unstable. Because unsanded grout can also be used for 1/8-inch lines, between the two it is recommended that you use sanded grout.

What is the best tile adhesive for large tiles?

What Adhesive Should I Use? We recommend that you use what’s known as a quality ‘flexible’ powdered, cement based adhesive such as fast setting Keraflex Maxi Grey. With large format tiles, it is important that there’s a full bed of adhesive between the floor or wall and the tiles to ensure full contact.

What happens if you use tile adhesive instead of grout?

Tile adhesive is made specifically to bond tiles to the subfloor or the walls. Grout is used specifically to fill in the space between the tiles and further seal the spaces from water, bacteria, and dust. Though some of the ingredients may be shared between the two compounds, they are not interchangeable in any way.

What happens if you use too much tile adhesive?

What happens when the adhesive is too strong? This might sound awkward, but sometimes the adhesive creates a better bonding with the substrate than with the tile, causing a weak point at the tile adhesion.