Laying Floor Tiles Preparation

Here is what you need to know regarding the preparation required for each floor type:

As a general rule make sure the floor is: • Flat • Clean and dry • Free from contamination • Suitable for the intended service conditions • Sufficiently strong and rigid to support the tiling finish

Concrete/Cement-Sand Screeds For newly laid screed – allow screed to dry for 3 weeks (unless using BAL Quickset Cement). If fixing with BAL Green Screed cement, allow 24 hours drying time. For existing screed – cut out all loose or hollow parts, apply slurry bonding coat.

Ensure that the floor is free from any surface contamination such as oil, grease and dust. A dusty cement floor may be sealed by using a suitable sealer e.g. BAL Bond SBR. Otherwise, degrease and clean the floor thoroughly to enable full contact between the floor and the tile adhesive you will be using.

Existing Unglazed Tiles All existing tiles should be firmly bonded to the floor and in sound and clean condition. Test the tiles for solidity and bonding. Any hollow sounding or defective areas should be cut out and the section made good.

Wooden Floors Ensure that the existing floor is rigid and firmly fixed. There must also be sufficient ventilation, which is particularly important at ground level. You may tile over tounge & groove floorboards. If doing so, please check that they are strong and solid without any movement. The boards should be free from varnish and other contaminants. Screw them down along the joists at minimum 300mm centres to ensure more solidity. Prime with BAL Prime APD and fix tiles using BAL Single Part Fastflex. BAL Fastflex can be used to fix tiles to both soft wood tongue & groove floorboards and flooring grade chipboard sheets.

Alternatively, overlay the boards with minimum 18mm thickness exterior grade plywood or waterproofed plywood. This should be fixed down at 300mm centres, in both directions, using screws. Seal with BAL Bond SBR. Tiling can then be done with an adhesive such as BAL Single Part Flexible or Rapidset Flexible.

Mastic Asphalt Must be in sound condition and have adequate cohesive strength. It should also be of a suitable grade e.g. flooring. The surface should be sufficiently regular. Remove any surface contaminants. For further information on adhesives, please contact a member of staff for technical advice.

The above advice was provided by BAL, our trusted supplier of adhesive and grout.