Tile Over Painted Concrete Block Wall

How to install ceramic tile over painted block walls for a shower step 1.

Tile over painted concrete block wall.

Clean the surface of any dirt or debris with a ph neutral cleanser and a sponge or scrub brush. While you can install tile directly on concrete problems erupt when the concrete cracks or shifts. Hammer the nails through. Tile cannot be attached directly to painted concrete as the thin set will not adhere well to the paint.

Inspect the concrete surface. Answer answer it is possible to bond porcelain tile to a painted surface but it isn t recommended because the overall tile attachment is limited to the strength of the bond of the paint to the concrete. Mark the wall in the middle with a chalk line to create a guide for the tiles. Nail 3 4 expanded metal lath to the blocks with 1 1 2 to 2 inch concrete nails.

Mortar cannot be installed directly over painted concrete itself. Place strips of blue painter s tape over the tile face sticking each end to the wall to prevent the tiles from sliding. If the paint comes loose so does the tile. With a notched trowel apply the adhesive at the bottom of the cinder block wall.

For application over an uneven concrete surface a lightweight waterproof construction board. Painted concrete can be made porous with sandblasting or other hard abrasive actions. Before beginning a tile installation over a concrete wall perform an inspection to look. Apply just enough of the adhesive to attach a few tiles at a time so that the adhesive stays moist and ready to receive the tiles.

This surface is called a scratch coat. Continue placing the first course of tiles in the same manner using spacers. If your wall is freestanding with a top tile the center of the top area with the same tile that you chose for the sides of the wall but use bullnose tiles all around the top edges. First a surface more textured and solid must be applied over the painted concrete.