Unfortunately, you can’t simply reapply thinset and install your new floor. Even after doing your best to remove most of the old thinset, having any remnants of old thinset makes new floor installation nearly impossible. This procedure is not only hard work but extremely important to new floor installation.

Can I lay new tile over old thinset?

Tile needs a smooth, level surface to be installed on. You can put new thinset on top of old, but only if the old thinset is perfectly smooth and level. This is rarely the case once the old tiles have been removed. The best option to smooth out the old thinset and prepare it for new tiles is to grind it down.

Do you have to remove old tile cement before tiling?





You can tile over your old floor adhesive by placing a barrier down in the form of thin-set, underlayment, a false floor, or using a floor leveling compound before tile installation. To achieve the strongest bond and preserve your moisture barrier, you should scrape, sand, or strip the old adhesive.

Can you lay new floor tile over old 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.

Do I need to remove thinset from grout lines?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: You definitely need to clean it because you want a good bond. For the grout and the deeper the crevice more bond ability that the grout would have.

How do you soften thinset for removal?

To remove thinset, start by pouring boiling water over the thinset to weaken the material. Leave it for an hour, then hold a sharp putty knife at a 45-degree angle and hammer the back with a hand maul to break up the thinset.

How do you grind down old thinset?





Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: So this is if you're doing a big area then a demo hammer with a thinset remover blade is the way to go now uh for me we use this bathroom we use a shower.

Can I tile over old mastic?

Contractors we have spoken to think the best approach is to put down new ceramic or porcelain tiles right over the existing adhesive. They said “capping” the mastic in a seal coat or thin layer of concrete wouldn’t be a good idea- they’d need to pour rather a lot of concrete for that.

Can you tile over old grout?

ANSWER – It is possible to grout over existing grout if there is enough depth to do so. 1/8 inch depth may or may not be adequate depending on the type of grout used. A latex modified grout may work, but you have to properly clean the existing grout to ensure the new grout adequately bonds.

Will Thinset stick to old adhesive?

Fortunately, most grout and mortar manufacturers make a thinset which will bond to “cut back” adhesive. Typically, the “cut back” should be scraped smooth so the tile is not sitting on ridges of adhesive – although it does not have to be absolutely flat.

How do you remove dried thinset from tile?



Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: And just start pushing. And trying to scrape it off of. There. Now the nice thing about tile is they put a shiny surface on most tiles. So this is a little bit easier to get. Off.

Can you wash thinset down the drain?

Grout and thinset mortar are types of concrete and should never be rinsed down drains. That includes the muddy water rinsed from the buckets and trowels used to handle these materials.

How much thinset can be between tiles?

Plan for a layer of thinset 3/16-inch to 1/8-inch thick beneath your tile. A 3/16-inch layer of thinset will be enough for tiles with a smooth back to bond the tile to the floor or backer board. For natural tiles with an uneven surface on the back, you may need to spread a 1/8-inch layer of thinset during installation.

What happens if you use too much thinset?



In addition to producing an uneven surface, applying too much thinset can create costly cleanup headaches and add unnecessary time to a project. Simple installation rules eliminate the possibility of this potential problem.

How long does tile have to sit before you can walk on it?

The curation generally occurs in about twenty minutes; however, the tiles should not be walked on for a solid 24-hour time frame to allow them to set fully. It is a crucial period that will ensure the beauty and endurance of the materials.

Is mortar the same as thinset?

Thinset, while it is also sometimes referred to as a “mortar” is an adhesive. It’s a mix of cement, water, and fine sand. It holds your tile to the substrate and is used in commercial applications, “wet wall” applications (such as a shower floor), or with heavier tiling materials such as Ankara Travertine Stone Tile.

Can you lay tile and grout in the same day?

It is important to realize that the thinnest part at the edges may look dry, but the tiles’ product still may not be completely dry. Therefore, tiling and grouting on the same day is not a good practice. You will need to wait at least 24 hours before grouting to ensure the drying of the newly installed tiles.

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.

What size trowel should I use for 12×24 tile?

Generally, for the 12×24 inch floor tiles, you should use a square-notched trowel that has either ¼-inch by ½-inch or ½-inch by ½-inch notch. The notch size is vital as it determines the area where the mortar will collapse after installing and pressing down the tiles.

What size spacers should I use for 12×24 tiles?

1/4 inch spacers

Installing 12×24 Tile: Grouting



We used 1/4 inch spacers to achieve the perfect grout lines that you see here and I would definitely recommend using them, even if you think you’re pretty comfortable with tiling.

How big should grout lines be for 12×12 tile?



The manufacture specifies 3/16 of an inch for grout spacing. The tiles are not exact in size. They can be off as much as 3/32 of an inch. If I go smaller than 3/16 of an inch on my grout spacing would this cause the grout to crack.