Tiling...............

[invisiblelady]

Ok...my project this holiday is tiling the bathroom. However, there is NO WAY I'm going to remove all the revolting 70's brown tiles that cover the walls at the moment. I want to tile on tile. I didn't think this was a problem but someone has said I need a different adhesive or may need to 'score' the old tiles....HELP!!!!!

[MASS1961]

You really would be better off removing the old ones first.
The old ones probably 'fit' and simply tiling over will surely leave overhangs. My dad used to say "if a jobs worth doing, it's worth doing well".

[wardlaw]

If your present tiles are glazed then you will not be able to tile on top of them. Scoring the old tiles sufficiently to allow adhesive to bond will take more time and considerably more effort than removing them; also the new ones may not stay on for long.
I am not a tradesman but have extensive experience in DIY tiling. Believe me the old ones really should come off.
Sorry!!

[invisiblelady]

I'm really just not up to it MASS1961. The tiles are very firmly fixed so I'm hoping that is a good sign?

[invisiblelady]

Wardlaw.......how do I tell if they are glazed?

[MASS1961]

Good Luck lady, but as Wardlaw says it could take some time.
Trying to score old tiles may end up cracking some and having to stick them back on before retiling.

[invisiblelady]

I need to move house then :-(

[wardlaw]

If they are glazed ( as virtually all of them are) they will be shiny and will not absorb water. Your original tiles seem well fixed but that isn't the problem - it is how well your new tiles will adhere to the old ones. I wish you well but feel that eventually you will remove the old ones. If you are determined to go ahead get a good tile file from your DIY store or you will have a dreadful time scoring through the glaze. Good luck!!

[invisiblelady]

But if I remove them...won't I need to pay someone to plaster the walls (which I can't afford)???

[wardlaw]

Here's a thought. Ask at your DIY store if ther is a paint product that will re-colour your old ones. I have no experience of this but there is maybe some rubberised paint available which will do the job.

[wardlaw]

You shouldn't need to re-plaster the walls. The tile adhesive should do the trick as you put on the new ones.

[invisiblelady]

I have tried the painting over tiles route. I did it properly and used an undercoat and then the tile paint...but it was rubbish. It eventually started to peel and looks awful. Thank you for your advice though. I will keep researching!

[boxtops]

I've painted tiles - It worked really well as long as you use special Tile paint.

[Mosaic]

Re. removing the tiles - if they are fixed firmly or even very sloppily to the backing wall, they will bring off chunks of plaster as you remove them.
However, taking off all or most of the plaster and replacing it with a gyproc-type plasterboard product, and properly prepping this surface, would give you a good level surface to tile anwew.
This is a biggish job.
But I feel you want a nice quick fix - now, retro is in - how bad can 'brown tiles' really be? Can't you accessorise, smarten up the grout - I've seen loads of muddy brown tiling with white suites and it looks just grand to me.

Tile paint, as suggested by a poster, works OK if kept perfectly dry.....

[The Builder]

With the greatest respect to all the other posters............ tiling over existing tiles is done all the time. I know it doesn't seem right with a glazed tile, but it makes no difference.

(To get rid of tiles completely, I've plastered directly over them many times. Simply use a coat of PVA, and "Carlite Bonding" plaster.)

To tile over, you need nothing more than a decent brand of tile adhesive directly onto the tiles, and carry on.
The important issue is how well they're fixed to the wall at present. I guess, if they're 70s tiles, they'll be pretty good.

[Old_Geezer]

Aye it can be done, just make sure the room still has enough space to be able to shut the door and windows afterwards ;-)

[marden40]

just to back up what The Builder has already said.......there is no problem what so ever in tiling on top of tiles.....Unibond do an adhesive for this purpose but to be honest its not needed, a good adhesive is all that's required........be sure the old tiles are good and solid, give them a wash over with a sugar soap solution then away you go