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Can You Put Tile On Concrete Patio

Existing Concrete On The Job Site

How to Make a Tile Patio

Once the all-important phase of choosing materials and design is done, it will be time to assess your concrete slab. Pavers are normally laid over a sand and rubble base so laying them over existing concrete will require a different approach.

Remember, your aim is to extend your living environment so its vital that the flow from indoor to outdoor space becomes seamless. Whether your project involves a patio area or driveway, you have to make sure the height of your existing surface will allow a good distance between the door sill and the thickness of the newly installed pavers and not impede upon any damp course membranes.

Consider also the new height your newly paved surface will be from the ground once new pavers are installed. Will you be able to conceal the surrounding edges and borders so as to hide the increased height? This can mean additional costs but a little creativity is all youll need.

However, if your existing slab is in poor and unsalvageable condition with cracks and is not level, it may be better to demolish the slab and start from scratch. Especially if making all these changes will cost you more than just excavating the concrete and laying paver on the ground.


Preparing Cement For Floor Tile

Clean

Dry

Patch

A sound surface is necessary when preparing concrete floor for tile installation. Cracks and depressions may create weak spots that cause tile to crack in the future.;

Patch little cracks or holes with a cement patching compound. Use a trowel to apply and use the edge to ensure the patch has edges level with the surrounding concrete.

If you have large cracks or displaced concrete, this might be a sign of deeper problems. Consult with a professional. If repairs are needed, hire a professional to avoid bigger problems later.


After ensuring your concrete surface is level apply a concrete sealer. Cement is porous and draws moisture from the ground up through the slab. Sealer is a barrier between the cement and the mortar that will keep moisture build-up away. This increases the bond between the cement and the mortar, as well as decreasing mold growth.

Level

Do Outdoor Porcelain Tiles Crack Easily

Porcelain tiles are made of fine clays which are fired at extremely high temperatures. This process makes them less porous and more dense. All in all, these tiles are made from natural products so they are less prone to cracking. There are many other benefits to porcelain tiles when compared with stone or concrete.

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Tile Membranes For Wet Areas Bathrooms Showers

Full waterproofing is required in constructionthat must retain water, such as shower pans and tiledtubs. It is also recommended in areas subject to frequentwetting, such as raised tub surrounds, bathroom floors, andcounters with sinks. There are two types of membranes:thermoplastic sheet materials and trowel-on membranes.


Sheet membranes can be applied to most tile substrateswith either thinset mortar or a proprietary adhesive, andtiles are bonded directly to the membrane. With any membrane,check the label for compatibility with the substrateand adhesives. Most waterproofing membranes also serveas isolation membranes.

Figure 6-36 – elastomeric adhesive sheet membrane used below tile in wet areas.

  • Sheet membranes for use over concrete: These single-layer elastomerics,such as chlorinated polyethylene , are bondedto the substrateâtypically cement backerboard,plywood, or a mortar bedâwith a compatible thinsetmortar or proprietary adhesive .After theadhesive cures, tiles are set onto the membrane with asecond layer of thinset. For watertight performance,joints in the membrane are caulked with a proprietarysealant or are solvent-welded. In addition to stoppingwater, CPE membranes act as an isolation membrane,protecting the tile and grout from movement in the substrate. Examples are Noble-Seal TS and Dal-Seal TS , both 30-mil thick CPE. Special heavier membranes are designed for shower pans, tubs, and other details that must contain standing water.

Smooth Membrane Over Crack

The Best Way to Cover an Ugly Concrete Patio

Repair the Existing Steps

If any steps have cracks all the way through them, they will need to be repaired before they are tiled. Lay a piece of crack isolation membrane over the area and cut it to size . Trowel thin-set onto the tread and riser . Set the membrane over the crack and press into place; smooth it out using a trowel .

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Proper Drainage Of The Site

Make sure your concrete foundation is properly sloped and doesnt accumulate surface water. Laying pavers over this material may pose problems to the drainage as concrete slabs have the inability to drain water through the blocks and into the earth. Follow the concretes slope when installing the pavers and make sure the edge that drains water stays low and permeable. A trick you can do is drilling small holes through the concrete every few inches to help eliminate puddling.


The importance of the choice of materials is extremely important. Choose permeable pavers if your surface needs adequate drainage. You have to select materials according to functionality and not just style.

Install Tile Directly On Concrete

Ceramic and porcelain tile are so frequently installed at or above grade level on a cement board underlayment or directly on plywood that it almost seems novel to install tile directly on concrete.

  • Concrete cracks transfer to tile

  • Thinset remains on concrete if tile is removed

This application does make sense, since concrete is heavy, solid, and is typically thought of as an unbending, uncompromising material. Far denser than plywood and weighing in at a hefty 75 pounds per square foot , concrete is heavy. Not only that, concrete and tile are both mineral-based materials, so it seems natural that the two would be a perfect match.

But that only describes concrete in its perfect, unchanged state. Concrete responds poorly to foundation shifts. Groundwater pushing up from below can crack it. Tree roots routinely burrow under concrete slabs, then lift and crack them. The best mode of thought is to assume that your concrete will crack at some point in its lifespan.

Read Also: How To Build Patio Steps Using Pavers


How Do You Install 1 Inch Pavers Over Concrete

Step 1: Place a level of 1-inch sand bedding layer between the pavers and underlying concrete, this process is very similar to a standard paver installation. Step 2: Place holes at low spots, that will allow the water that seeps into the joints to escape. Step 3: Place your pavers following the directions provided.

Guide To Installing Tile Over Concrete Slabs

How To Stencil Tiles On Cement Outdoor Patio

Tiles can be applied directly to a clean,smooth concrete slab with a latex Portland cement mortar.The concrete should be properly cured, be level to 1/4 inch in10 feet, and have a steel trowel or fine broom finish.

Curing compounds or old adhesives used for carpeting or resilient flooring will act as bond breakers, so they need to be removed before installing the tile.

Either a power-blast cleaningmachine or a rotary sander with a coarse carborundum sandingsheet can be used. If the slab has cracks or control joints,a crack isolation membrane should be used.

See TILE ISOLATION MEMBRANES.


Our page top photo illustrates ceramic tiles set on concrete in an antique floor we observed in Buenos Aires, Argentina. At left is another ceramic tile on concrete installation in the same city, with some interesting repairs. This floor was installed around 1920.

We include advice on choosing and installing kitchen countertops, cabinets, and kitchen or bathroom flooring, sinks, and other plumbing fixtures and fixture controls such as faucets. A list of kitchen and bath product manufactures and sources is included.

This article includes excerpts or adaptations from Best Practices Guide to Residential Construction, by Steven Bliss, courtesy of Wiley & Sons.

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How To Put The Tiles Over Concrete

In setting the tiles over concrete, the easiest step is to first clean the concrete surface thoroughly, preferably scrubbed with a brush in order to remove dirt and oil build-up.; Various cleaners are available in hardware stores for this purpose but Tri-Sodium Phosphate is recommended.; By doing this, we will be able to check for cracks or uneven surfaces to sustain a good hold for the tile mortar.; Once all cracks are filled and the surface is evened out, it is best to apply a concrete sealant to inhibit moisture from seeping under the tile.


Again, hardware stores offer a wide range of these products and it is best to ask assistance from authorized representatives.; If work cannot be completed within a day, it is best to protect the unfinished project with a water-repellant cover. ;Before continuing, however, we must make sure that the edges are squared and fill any gaps if any.; Once the preparations have been made, we can already start laying the tiles we have chosen for our project.

However, we must bear in mind that technical considerations such as provisions for expansion joints to adapt to expansion or contraction caused by temperature conditions must be made. Thus, it is best not to tile over them to prevent cracking. To determine the exact measurements for expansion joints, it is best to consult related literature or to watch educational videos regarding this matter.

Six Keys To Successful Outdoor Tile Setting

  • Use high-quality materials only. Expensive patio tiles wont necessarily outlast moderately priced tile, but with thin-set, grout, sealer and caulk, you get what you pay for.
  • Follow the manufacturers instructions. Even the best setting materials wont perform as promised unless you mix and use them as instructed.
  • Apply tile only to a stable, well-drained slab. A slab with places for puddles or ever-growing cracks is no place for tile.
  • Allow the tile to expand and contract without cracking by placing expansion joints no more than 16 ft. apart and anywhere the tile meets a vertical surface like steps or the houses foundation.
  • Dont give water places to enter or hide. That means densely packed and sealed grout joints, caulked expansion joints and no empty pockets in the thin-set.
  • Dont delay maintenance. If grout cracks or a tile comes loose, replace it before a small problem becomes a big one.
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    Cheapoutdoor Patio Flooring Options

    Outdoor patios are typically made of vertical support posts that are made of wood. Since wood is very susceptible to moisture damage, you need patio flooring that doesnt absorb moisture. This is why waterproof vinyl floor tiles are usually recommended for patios.

    However, just like vinyl flooring, there are several other cheap-good flooring alternatives that offer various advantages. Below, we explore some of these vinyl floorings for outdoor patio alternatives?

    Extra Design Elements To Add

    How to Lay Deck Flooring on a Concrete Patio

    We have lots of great inspiration from home shows, and where to find similar pieces to complete your concrete patio ideas.

    I can almost feel the plans for all of the summer nights and days spent out on the patio. It is going to be your favorite place to hang out with all of these great concrete patio ideas for a makeover.

    Please pin this post for later:

    Published: February 18, 2021Filed Under: , DIY, Gardening, Landscape, Porch and Patio, TipsaholicTagged: budget-friendly, Concrete, DIY, Outdoor living, patio, patio decor, patio furniture, patio tables, Patios, Summer, tips

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    Four: Install The Grout

    There are many different grout types to choose from. For outdoor patio tile, the main considerations are: color fade resistance, stain resistance, water resistance, and ease of install. Even covered patios will see significant sunlight and you dont want your patio grout to sunbleach over time like a cheap rug. You also dont want the grout to be a nightmare to keep clean-looking year after year.

    The clients chose a very dark grey color to complement the tile, so this greatly simplified the grout choice. This color wears great outdoors and doesnt show dirt or stains. Normally I would use epoxy grout for an outdoor patio, but in this case the tile had a matte no-slip surface finish that would have made epoxy haze very difficult to remove. Epoxy grout is also quite expensive and would have popped the clients budget. So, I instead used Mapei Ultracolor Plus for all the advantages of regular sanded grout with added water resistance and color consistency.

    No matter what grout you use for a patio, be sure to plan your install carefully. DO NOT install outside grout in direct sunlight or over multiple days . Instead, grout all the tile in one day working in shade the entire time. In this case, I started on one shaded side of the patio in the morning and then did the other side once the shade flipped in the afternoon.

    Does Tile Need Underlayment

    Yes! It does. The primary purpose of the tile underlayment is to smooth out spots that are uneven in the subfloor. It also creates an unbending layer that inhibits the floor from flexing. Without an underlayment, even a slight movement of the subfloor can make the grout lines to crumble and tiles to crack.

    Also Check: How To Make A Paver Patio On A Slope

    Paint Or Stain Your Concrete Patio

    If you just want to add a little flavor to your outdoor space, adding some color to your patio might be just the thing. There are plenty of options here, from a simple coat to diagrams and scoring. Here are just a few ideas.

    Score Lines to Add Depth

    • Use a diamond-tipped blade on a circular saw with a depth about 1/8 to carve straight lines into the concrete.
    • Once you add the color, youll be able to create alternating color patterns, abstract blocking, or just give the illusion of paving stones.

    Tape Off Sections for A Tapestry Effect

    If you dont love the idea of cutting grooves into your old concrete patio, you can still get those cool color sections by taping off sections. You can simply use painters tape and apply your color sections one block at a time. Taping instead of scoring adds considerable flexibility for designing shapes you may not even have to stick to straight lines!

    Paint or Stain?

    The difference between paint and stain essentially comes down to where the color goes. Paint sits on top of the concrete and provides a layer of color. Paint will allow you the greatest flexibility for vibrant color. If youre an artist, you can even create a mural directly onto your patio.

    One: Clean And Then Clean Again

    How to Upgrade a Concrete Urban Patio | This Old House

    Bare concrete needs to be super duper clean for good thinset adhesion. Any dirt, oil, paint residue, bird crap, etc will cause problems. The best option for cleaning an outdoor patio slab is Trisodium Phosphate, commonly called TSP. Its a powdered alkaline chemical that makes a very strong caustic cleaner when dissolved in water. Its also very corrosive, so youll want to wear a good pair of rubber gloves and be mindful of where the runoff will go.

    In this case, there werent any landscaping plants around the patio perimeter and the patio didnt drain to a storm sewer. So it was a no-brainer to simply mop the patio with TSP, scrub with a stiff broom, and then rinse. This patio was pretty grungy so needed a few rounds of cleaning, but was nevertheless ready for thinset within an hour. You dont need to wait for the concrete to dry before starting with thinset, since some added moisture actually helps make a tighter bond. The concrete pad simply needs to be really well rinsed and free of any dirt or oil.

    Recommended Reading: How To Build Patio Steps Using Pavers

    What You Need To Know Before Laying Tile On Concrete

    Although you dont need to install an underlayment between the concrete and the tile, you need to prepare the surface before placing the tile. After all, cracks and uneven areas in the concrete can cause damage to the tile above, and uncontrolled moisture in the concrete can destroy the mortar and loosen the tiles. When you take time to prepare the concrete floor, youll have a better chance of creating an even tile design that looks great and is built to last. Take a look at the two most common options for preparing a concrete floor.

    Thoughts On How Do I Install Porcelain Tile Over Painted Concrete

  • consays:

    I contract to a large volume builder the painters go in first then we tile my question is has the builder or the builders supervisors got a care of duty to me the tiler to make sure all the paint is off the slab prior to tiling or the painter for that matter they spray ceilings and in most cases the walls as well now I being held reasonable when the floor tiles have lifted can some one help me out

  • Donato Pomposays:

    Your contract should state that the GC is to provide you with a concrete substrate that is not contaminated with paint, oil, curing compounds or any other contaminate that can interfere with the tile installation.

    ANSI A108.02 standard says that the tile installer is to inspect the tile , the substrate and the surrounding conditions, and if any condition exists that will prevent you from properly installing the tile then you must stop your work and notify the GC or client in writing of the problem, and do not continue the work until the corrections have been made.

    If you install over a substrate that has paint on it and you dont clean it up, then it becomes your problem, because you should not have installed over it.

  • Rose Welchsays:

    Sunroom originally was the patio that owners then framed. When I brought the house, the floor was painted and rock was mixed into concrete. Is it possible to lay porcelain tile over the uneven sunroom floor if we remove paint?

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