Installing Self-Stick Tiles Over Ceramic Tiles

I am trying to install self-stick floor tiles over an existing ceramic tile bathroom floor. They will not stick on that surface. Is there some type of bonding agent that would adhere the 2 surfaces? I am trying to avoid doing a sub floor.

By Megan from Albany, NY

Answers:

Installing Self-Stick Tiles Over Ceramic Tiles

The ceramic tiles may have been sealed with a polyurethane type sealer or wax that helps them to remain shiny and easy to clean. You could try a product called TSP (trisodiumphosphate) it will cut the wax or even grease and prep the surface but, it's hard to tell without seeing the tile. They may have a very high gloss surface without any sealant on them.

Is the area too big to knock the tiles off and start with a clean surface? (I know and a big mess, too). If the tile surface is flat and tight with small grout areas you may be able to use an additional adhesive (like paneling/construction adhesive) but if your surface is uneven you won't get a nice even surface for your tiles you want to apply. A point of reference might be [diy.com] or [handyman.com]. Maggie (03/27/2009)

By Maggie Ayers

Installing Self-Stick Tiles Over Ceramic Tiles

As much as you don't want to hear this, you really need to remove the original tile and start over. You need a flat, level surface to work on and it just won't work well to put tile over tile. Sorry! (03/28/2009)

By Allison

Installing Self-Stick Tiles Over Ceramic Tiles

Allison and Maggie make great points. I'm the DIY guy that can be counted on to do the right thing, only after I've tried every cockamamie short cut first! I used peel and stick tiles about five times. Three of those five times I tore them out after less than two years because they looked horrible. I put a quality vinyl self stick tile over an old bathroom ceramic tile floor. After a time, the impression of the tile underneath was showing through the new vinyl tile.

The two times I used the self stick tile and the job looked great was when it was installed on a properly prepared sub-floor. Chopping out the old tile may sound tedious but will save you some grief later. Contact the manufacturer of the self stick tile and there is usually a customer advice line. Ask for pointers. They will not advise you to do anything that will void the warranty. Tom (03/29/2009)

By Tom D.