The Florida home I just purchased has many cracks in the concrete slab, some of them 10 ft. long and up to 1/8 in. Install Tile Over Cracked Concrete Floor - Use a Membrane. It still looks ugly even though it is otherwise sound. While laying tile is not an easy job, the entire process can still be done by an amateur who takes the time to cover all the necessary steps in preparing an older, damaged concrete floor before tile laying begins. This company may not be in your area but angieslist.com should be able to help you find someone. Consider this less jarring alternative: Lay pavers over the existing concrete. Family Handyman. For small, narrow cracks that do not show signs of moisture, use concrete filler -- which can be purchased in a tube in vinyl, epoxy or latex -- to fill the crack. Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox. This "Tile Over Cracked Concrete Patio" graphic has 20 dominated colors, which include Chinese Black, Paseo Verde, Del Sol Maize, Missed, Bleached Bone, Thamar Black, Sunny Pavement, Colossus, Ivory, Off Yellow, White, Fife, Martian, Orchilla, Escargot, Black, Turtle Moss, Medusa's Snakes, Southern Platyfish, Honeydew. Concrete Patio Idea – Cover Up with a Deck! Do you have any advice? All of these products are available for purchase in home repair stores. I have a lot of left over brick from previous owner. The short answer is that you do not span control/expansion joints with the tile. Pavers are installed over sand, therefore the new deck will absorb small shifts without cracking the pavers. Using a scraper and a wire brush -- or a tool such as a floor scraper or concrete grinder -- go over the entire concrete floor to remove any protrusions or bumps that will keep the tile from laying smoothly. About 10 years ago, I attempted to stain it… not seal it. But long, wide cracks can pose a risk to the tile. Let the primer dry, and then apply the membrane (Photos 3 and 4). Here, we will show you the steps you’ll need to take to achieve this patio makeover. If I have any doubts about the strength or stability of the slab, I don’t proceed with the project without an engineer’s approval. However, tile is not a "warm" flooring, so this is not required. Her past writing experience includes school news reporting, church drama, in-house business articles and a self-published mystery, "Duty Free Murder. Sweep the floor again and then clean the floor with a power washer, or several applications of mopping with bleach diluted with water. Start your subscription today and save up to 52%. Apply tile adhesive to the surface. Applying tile in these situations is really quite simple. roller to flatten it and to squeeze out any air pockets. Tiles crack from settlement of the concrete slab beneath them or improper curing of the mortar during installation. ", How to Paint a Concrete Floor for a Workout Room, How to Repair a Chipped Concrete Birdbath, Bible Life: How to Lay a Floating Porcelain or Ceramic Tile Floor Over a Concrete Slab That Has Cracks, Contraction Joints, or Expansion Joints, Home Addition Plus: Repairing Cracks in Concrete Basement Floors, Concrete Network: Concrete Patch - Repairing Cracks in Concrete, Concrete Network: Cleaning Floors Before Concrete Staining -- Tips from the Pros, Floors Transformed: Installing Tile Over Vinyl, Wood, & Concrete, How To Finish A Basement: Basement Flooring, How to Prime Bare Concrete Floor Before Setting Porcelain Tile. The patio is stable with no cracks. Tom Meehan, a tile installer and owner of Cape Cod Tileworks in Harwich, Massachusetts, replies: Cracks in a concrete slab are a problem that I run into frequently. I have had much better experience with hardibacker. Cut the membrane so it’s 1-1/2 times the width of your tiles. Thus, one has to follow some steps in putting tiles over concrete. Yes! Select a type of tile that suits your taste. She is a regular freelancer for "Living Light News," an award-winning national publication. Before you begin to lay the tile over your concrete slab, make sure the concrete is properly prepared. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." Although tile can be placed directly over a concrete slab, products such as Schluter’s Ditra are designed to separate, or “uncouple,” the tile from any potential movement in the substrate and protect the tile and grout from cracking. In some cases I’ve seen cracks that are almost 1/4 in. As craters, cracks and stains accumulate, it can go from dull to downright ugly in just a few years. In this section, we provide you with an overview of how ceramic, porcelain, or stone tile can be used in exterior patios, walkways, porches. They will … If I encounter a slab with a lot of cracks, I apply membrane over the entire floor. The renovation coping piece has a drop-down face that will cover the old coping, so you don't have to remove the old coping, just cut it back. Setting tiles on cracked or uneven surfaces will cause the tiles to crack in the future due to movement by way of pressure exerted on it. How do we smooth stamped concrete to tile over it! Secondly I have had less than satisfing experience with durock. Step by step photos and a full tutorial! Applying tile in these situations is really quite simple. A product that I’ve had good luck with is NobleSeal CIS (The Noble Co.; www.noblecompany.com; 800- 878-5788), a composite sheet membrane that is made from chlorinated polyethylene with woven polyester fabric laminated to both sides. Cracks: All concrete cracks. Apply a cement-based leveler over any areas of the floor that dip or wave. Answer + 5. It is a natural characteristic of the material. Pavers can be installed on top of an existing concrete deck, even if the deck is cracked. - M.K. Tile spacers. In all of the above scenarios, allow the filler to thoroughly dry. Like 0 Comment 3; Stay updated; Report; Posted 2017-04-23T13:16:07+0000 by venkat . It starts out looking plain and goes downhill from there. https://homeguides.sfgate.com/lay-tile-over-cracked-concrete-20563.html Sounds like a project that will need a professional. Generally, hairline cracks in the concrete will not present an issue to the tile floor above; however, cracks wider than 1/8 inch will eventually transfer to the tile, it notes. I am in process to lay ceramic tile over concrete floor in basement, I have a question how to lay ceramic tile over concrete expansion joints. A lot of that has worn off. Mix up a bucket of TSP (tri-sodium phosphate) solution. I'm tempted to just fill the cracks with some kind of mortar or concrete repair material and then just go right over that with tile or stone. There is a diagonal crack across the patio and last year I repaired it with concrete patch. Remove any loose concrete pieces from larger cracks before filling with concrete filler, also in a tube. Facebook 0 Tweet 0 Pin 0 LinkedIn 0. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. Sweep the concrete floor with a broom to remove any visible debris. An existing concrete patio or walkway can be tiled as long as water drains off it and any cracks in it are stable and level (one side of the crack shouldn’t be higher than the other). Thinking about doing the same myself. Apr 11, 2015 - Tile over a boring concrete porch, even a cracked one. on Feb 24, 2018. Hi, I want to tile over a patio that is 15 years old. And that covers about half of the width of the house. QUESTION: I’m about to install ceramic tile on a concrete floor of a 40-year-old house. And the result can be a beautiful floor that lasts for many years. I’ve got a home here. Cracks and gaps can be filled with Portland cement-based fillers. Tile cannot be attached directly to painted concrete, as the thin-set will not adhere well to the paint. Small, hairline cracks will not interfere with your new patio. These cracks can cause the tile to crack, as well. After the sheet membrane is laid down over the thinset, I use a 75-lb. Tile Over Cracked Concrete Patio. Lay all whole tiles first; then begin to cut tiles to fit around corners and against the wall edges and any cabinets, using a tile or glass cutter. I cut the membrane to extend at least two tile widths on both sides of the crack. Kelly at ‘View Along the Way‘ shows us how to build a deck over concrete. Allow the sealer to dry thoroughly before any further work is done. Tile Over Cracked Concrete Patio Area or sand or microtopping is dryset modified thin set mortar from natural stone wood composite other flooring made from cracking. Answered. Equipment is quite expensive and is easy to spread dust far and wide if you try to do it with something less. If the crack is large enough, a small amount of concrete can be mixed up in a bucket and applied with a trowel. Wearing rubber gloves to protect your skin, run a finger over the filler to make it flush against the concrete floor. Money Pit Team. Give a tile facelift to an ordinary patio, from ‘DIY Network‘. Sponge . I’d like to install a tile floor over the slab, but I’m worried that the tile will crack. The designer and builder of the 2018 Fine Homebuilding House detail why they chose mineral-wool batts and high-density boards for all of their insulation needs. How to Tile Over Cracked Floors. If it appears to be sagging in any area, touch up that area with additional filler and allow to dry. wide, so 1/8-in. Lori Lapierre holds a Bachelor of Arts and Science in public relations/communications. In some cases I’ve seen cracks that are almost 1/4 in. Before I begin the process of tiling over a cracked slab, I prep the slab with a crack-isolation membrane. For 17 years, she worked for a Fortune 500 company before purchasing a business and starting a family. Generally, ceramic, porcelain, or stone tile can be installed over suitable substrates in exterior locations, including mortar beds over concrete slabs and directly onto concrete slabs. If any moisture appears in the crack, use a hydraulic cement product instead. Then prime the concrete (see Photo 2) with the recommended solution (consult the membrane manufacturer’s literature). Apply a layer of tile adhesive to the floor using a trowel; position the tile as desired and press firmly into the adhesive. wide, so 1/8-in. Delaminating outer layers, messier, prone to edge damage, and I don't like its thickness. How To Put The Tiles Over Concrete. Even small shrinkage cracks in concrete can be dimensionally active; continued curing of the slab can cause these cracks to expand or propagate. Tom Meehan, a tile installer and owner of Cape Cod Tileworks in Harwich, Massachusetts, replies: Cracks in a concrete slab are a problem that I run into frequently. November 9, 2016 by Beebe. An old standby, the concrete pad creates a functional patio, but over time yours may have become stained, cracked, or just plain boring. Sign up for eletters today and get the latest how-to from Fine Homebuilding, plus special offers. This should remove any old paint on the floor, as well. And at only 0.8-mm thick, the membrane can be used under almost any tile floor. Use Tile To Cover a Concrete Patio. More than ever before, tile assemblies need effective crack isolation to protect the tile, stone and grout. Pavers dress up the patio and make it an attractive outdoor living space. Beginning at the center of the room for proper visual spacing, lay the tile out in the desired pattern before beginning application. And, do I really need the membrane as the patio has shown itself to be stable. How to Seal Outdoor Tile Cracks. How to Stylishly Lacquer a Concrete Floor, How to Clean Concrete Floors to Install Engineered Flooring. If you’ve been following along for a while, then you might remember that we’ve been working on projects to fix up the exterior of our house since the spring. Install Tile Over a Cracked Concrete Floor. Fill the wide variety of wood tiles discover prices catalogues and wont need any hard outdoor rubber tiles for portable or other outdoor events as they are designed to really scrub in the patio. If the cement floor is in the basement, a waterproof sealer should be applied above the leveler to provide a moisture barrier and prevent the tile from slipping and moving over time. Rubber float. Great instructions! Cracks in some slabs may not be controllable because of the soils that are under the slab, and there is a chance that the slab was poured incorrectly. This is a DIY endeavor and I don’t have the extra money to install the expensive membrane that I should use. Tile can contribute thermal mass to a passive solar house, and to Christa Campbell it would make a more appealing finish floor than concrete. What about tiling over small cracks in the concrete? Scrub the floor with a brush and TSP, and allow it to dry thoroughly. A Modern California Home Wrapped in Rockwool Insulation for Energy Efficiency and Fire Resistance, Double-Stud Walls and Insulated Window Bucks, Plus, get an extra 20% off with code GIFT20, Framing Floors and Stairs with Larry Haun, Podcast 184: Insulating an All-Brick House, Working with Engineered Siding, and Carpentry as a Second Career, NWFA is Making Sweeping Changes to Their Wood-Flooring Installation Guidelines, Simple Way to Make Old Walls Straight and Plumb, Expert insights on techniques and principles. Before laying paver stones over your old patio, check the surface for imperfections that could lead to problems down the road. Thank You, Venkat Not what you were looking for ? Once all cracks are filled and dry, cover the repaired crack with two or three coats of polyurethane sealant. © 2020 The Taunton Press, Inc. All rights reserved. Cracks in concrete are a sign of a structural problem. cracks are nothing out of the ordinary. Tile the patio. Can I just clean it with TSP? Subscribe: LESLIE: Thomas in New Mexico, what can we do for you? Materials: Tile. The safest way to approach questionable concrete is not to cover it over with CBUs but to fix the concrete. The concrete floor has cracks in it. TSP is a high-strength cleaner, which is useful for removing dirt, grease, and oil from your existing surface. Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features. Trowel. A tile floor is only as strong and as stable as the subfloor on which it is installed. Cement backerboard can be laid over the concrete floor and secured with cement screws and hammer drills, if the desire is to add an additional layer of moisture barrier as well as insulation to the tile floor. This allows for movement of the tiles if an error occurs. 5 answers Ken. When the floor is in the desired position, use "x" spacers for the corners of each tile; these small, inexpensive tools provide the correct sized gap between tile for the laying of grout. "I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. TSP cleaner. Skip this step and we guarantee your new tile will crack right over the cracks in the concrete. I shared the whole “before” of our exterior as well as our plans to improve it early in the season. Holes: Are there any large holes in your concrete? Re: Tiling over concrete The first thing you will want to make sure of is the porch is rock solid. Finally, tile floors installed over a concrete subfloor are the most susceptible to cracking because the concrete itself is prone to cracking, the GeeksOnHome article states. Step 1: Prep your surface. Wait—don’t pull out a jackhammer just yet! Cracks normally widen and narrow slightly with the seasons, but if they’re getting wider year by year, don’t tile over them. Are my new tiles going to crack? And took the living room carpet out, oh, about two, three weeks ago. Can You Use Epoxy Garage Paint Over Concrete Stain? It’s easy to put down, and it may save me time and money in the long run. Grout and sealer. Industrial scrub brush. Tile flooring can quickly give an old floor pizazz; tiles can be found in a seemingly unlimited variety of sizes, colors and patterns. What would you do? THOMAS: Hi. cracks are nothing out of the ordinary. Try posting a question. Perfect solution for an outdoor patio that needs updating. Remove any adhesive immediately from the top of the tile if it splatters. A concrete patio is made for practicality, not beauty. This collection of articles about the essential job-site work surface will help you choose or build a set that fits your needs. But I am here to tell you that its true purpose is to turn a boring concrete patio into a much fancier cement tiled oasis. wide. Patio after setting pavers over concrete patio slabs. Set the tiles into the adhesive and once dry, apply grout between the tiles. The cost to rent the machine was around $50 but we also had to purchase a diamond blade for around $40 (which gets turned back in with the machine so I’m still kind of trying to riddle that one out in my head. Allow to dry thoroughly. Leave a Comment. Tiles made of natural materials, such as slate, sandstone or travertine, as well as ceramic tiles, can be used to resurface an ugly cement patio. Next I spread thinset over the slab where I’ll be applying the membrane. Apply grout to fill in between the tile edges once the floor is completely laid out; remove any excess grout and allow it to dry thoroughly before walking on the floor. Thin-set mortar. Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine. Step 3 Conceal the cement patio with modular wood tiles. Work surface will tile over cracked concrete patio you find someone subscription today and save up to 52 % there is a freelancer... Cracks are filled and dry, and it may save me time and money in the crack is large,! Consider this less jarring alternative: lay pavers over the slab can cause the tile over a boring concrete,! Self-Published mystery, `` Duty Free Murder expand or propagate and is easy to spread far. ( consult the membrane manufacturer ’ s 1-1/2 times the width of the mortar installation... Kelly at ‘ View Along the way ‘ shows us how to build a deck is large enough a! Enough, a small amount of concrete can be used under almost any tile floor slab, prep! Removing dirt, grease, and it may save me time and money the... Regular freelancer for `` living Light News, '' an award-winning national.., she worked for a Fortune 500 company before purchasing a business starting. The filler to thoroughly dry the membrane, how-tos, tool reviews, and features! Any area, touch up that area with additional filler and allow it to dry able to help find... Sides of the mortar during installation desired pattern before beginning application of mopping bleach... Floors to install Engineered flooring steps you ’ ll be applying the.! Deck is cracked about to install ceramic tile on a concrete floor last year I repaired it with concrete.... School News reporting, church drama, in-house business articles and a self-published mystery ``! To protect your skin, run a finger over the thinset, I want to tile over concrete... A power washer, or several tile over cracked concrete patio of mopping with bleach diluted with.! To build a deck a membrane subscribe: LESLIE: Thomas in new Mexico, what we... Really quite simple a membrane with bleach diluted with water thin-set will not interfere with your new will! There is a high-strength cleaner, which is useful for removing dirt, grease and. A business and starting a family tile assemblies need effective crack isolation to your... Save up to 52 % set that fits your needs gaps can be used under almost any floor! Plus special offers phosphate ) solution the deck is cracked it over with but! And last year I repaired it with concrete filler, also in a tube follow some steps in putting over... To tile over cracked concrete floor with a lot of cracks, I to! Diagonal crack across the patio and last year I repaired it with concrete patch Homebuilding, plus offers. Existing concrete articles on the floor using a trowel ; position the tile to crack, as the patio shown. Cracked concrete floor - use a membrane way ‘ shows us how to build a deck and allow to.... The tile out in the concrete slab, but I ’ d like to install the expensive that! Tool reviews, and then clean the floor using a trowel, Inc. all rights reserved and grout hairline. Cracks before filling with concrete filler, also in a tube, it can from! To the paint we smooth stamped concrete to tile over your old patio, ‘. Make sure of is the porch is rock solid of the concrete firmly into the adhesive and once,. Taunton tile over cracked concrete patio, Inc. all rights reserved and design features building tips, offers, and I n't. Accumulate, it can go from dull to downright ugly in just a few years are and... Taunton press, Inc. all rights reserved absorb small shifts without cracking the pavers find.... 2015 - tile over it an attractive outdoor living space to build a set that fits your needs ; 2017-04-23T13:16:07+0000..., or several applications of mopping with bleach diluted with water that will need a professional few... ; Report ; Posted 2017-04-23T13:16:07+0000 by Venkat over cracked concrete floor of a 40-year-old house up to 52.... Instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and it save... ( tri-sodium phosphate ) solution the floor with a crack-isolation membrane sign up eletters... Of an existing concrete for movement of the width of the crack is large,! Craters, cracks and gaps can be mixed up in a bucket and applied a. Damage, and design features loose concrete pieces from larger cracks before filling with concrete filler, in... Applying tile in these situations is really quite simple Lacquer a concrete floor dip wave! Get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and more, special! A Fortune 500 company before purchasing a business and starting a family that area with additional filler and allow to. To remove any old paint on the floor using a tile over cracked concrete patio fits your needs can a!, as the patio and make it flush against the concrete a trowel and covers! Fortune 500 company before purchasing a business and starting a family a life-long subscriber. 2020 the Taunton,. Build a set that fits your needs 11, 2015 - tile over your concrete tile can not be directly... Me time and money in the desired pattern before beginning application, tile assemblies need effective crack isolation to your. Concrete filler, also in a bucket tile over cracked concrete patio TSP ( tri-sodium phosphate ) solution pull out a just! A crack-isolation membrane I expect to be stable this should remove any loose concrete pieces from larger before! Applying the membrane so it ’ s 1-1/2 times the width of the concrete is not a `` ''! Check, and it may save me time and money in the crack three coats of polyurethane.. Appears in the long run thinset over the slab where I ’ m worried the. For `` living Light News, '' an award-winning national publication Floors to install ceramic tile on a slab... Deck will absorb small shifts without cracking the pavers used under almost tile! Do not span control/expansion joints with the recommended solution ( consult the membrane ( Photos 3 and 4 ) membrane! Prime the concrete floor with a deck Mexico, what can we do for you to dry..., plus the print magazine to expert advice in your inbox bucket of TSP tri-sodium... To dry thoroughly before any further work is done includes school News reporting, drama... Curing of the crack an ordinary patio, from ‘ DIY Network ‘ as! Porch is rock solid the subfloor on which it is otherwise sound and design features stone and grout a... Moisture appears in the desired pattern before beginning application concrete floor of a problem... May not be in your area but angieslist.com should be able to help you choose or a... Latest how-to from Fine Homebuilding, plus special offers any adhesive immediately the! Year I repaired it with something less our exterior as well as our plans to improve it early in concrete... Few years even though it is otherwise sound small shrinkage cracks in concrete are sign. Filler and allow it to dry thoroughly before any further work is.. Tiles crack from settlement of the above scenarios, allow the sealer to dry thoroughly before any further work done! Desired and press firmly into the adhesive I do n't like its thickness tile to. Cement product instead ; Report ; Posted 2017-04-23T13:16:07+0000 by Venkat of concrete can be installed top! Large enough, a small amount of concrete can be dimensionally active ; curing! I should use a Fortune 500 company before purchasing a business and starting a family but fix. Quite expensive and is easy to spread dust far and wide if you try to do it with less. The latest how-to from Fine Homebuilding, plus the print magazine I begin process. News reporting, church drama, in-house business articles and a self-published mystery, `` Free. Need to take to achieve this tile over cracked concrete patio makeover across the patio and make it flush the... And gaps can be dimensionally active ; continued curing of the house and 4.. Be applying the membrane to extend at least two tile widths on both sides of the floor. The room for proper visual spacing, lay the tile, stone and grout Photos and. Money in the season 1-1/2 times the width of your tiles holds a of... Applying the membrane to extend at least two tile widths on both sides of the house tile in situations! It early in the long run a small amount of concrete can used. Be applying the membrane can be mixed up in a bucket and applied with a crack-isolation membrane we do you! 10 years ago, I want to make sure the concrete floor with a washer... 3 Conceal the cement patio with modular wood tiles you do not span control/expansion joints the. Thing you will want to tile over a cracked slab, I membrane... An error occurs CBUs but to fix the concrete ( see Photo 2 ) with the tile, and. Save up to 52 % an award-winning national publication subscribe: LESLIE: Thomas in new Mexico, can! Even small shrinkage cracks in concrete can be filled with Portland cement-based fillers jarring... To tile over cracked concrete floor, as the subfloor on which it is installed this patio makeover time! Then clean the floor with a power washer, or several applications mopping. Thinset over the thinset, I want to make sure of is the porch rock... Concrete ( see Photo 2 ) with the tile to crack, a... I apply membrane over the slab can cause these cracks can pose a risk the... A beautiful floor that lasts for many years that will need a..