Is it possible to lay tiles on putty and how to do it correctly

Tile is a common option for bathrooms and kitchens when it comes to home remodeling. What happens, though, if you’ve already putty your walls? Is it possible to lay tiles directly on putty, and if so, how should it be done?

This is a situation that many homeowners find themselves in, not knowing if they should start from scratch or if their walls are ready for tiling. It is possible to tile over putty, which is good news, but there are some crucial steps to take to guarantee that the finish is durable and the tiles adhere correctly.

This post will walk you through the steps, stressing important factors and providing helpful advice to help you produce a polished end product. Regardless of your level of experience, you will find all the information you need to confidently take on this project.

Preparing walls for tiling

For this type of finishing, the base that the tiles will be glued to needs to be properly prepared.

As a consequence of this effort, it ought to obtain:

  • Durability and stability. Walls that are crumbling, wet and prone to cracking will not be able to reliably hold a heavy coating on themselves – over time it will begin to fall off.

  • Good adhesion. The surface must provide reliable adhesion to tile adhesive.

  • Smooth vertical surface without large defects. Laying tiles evenly on a curved base with your own hands is not easy, and if you repeat all the curves, the coating will not look aesthetically pleasing. In addition, it will not stay on an uneven surface for long either.

To put it simply, if you don’t use the technology, the finished product won’t look good enough for you, and you might soon lose money because you’ll have to send the tiles back.

Kindly take note. The cost of new material makes it easier and less expensive to promptly prepare the walls in accordance with technological requirements, and it will not be feasible to relay the used material with high quality.

Plaster leveling and plasterboard covering are two methods that can be used to achieve this (see Cladding walls with plasterboard: we do it sequentially). Both approaches are employed when extensive leveling is necessary in order to remove significant flaws and level variations.

Puttying can be used to completely eliminate minor defects if the walls are quite even. However, is it feasible to adhere tiles to putty?

How and what to putty the walls under the tiles

The previous question can be answered in the affirmative, but only if the leveling mixture possesses specific qualities and is used strictly in compliance with building codes and specifications.

Choosing a putty

The required layer thickness, adhesion indicators, moisture resistance, and tile weight are the factors that must be considered when selecting a leveling mixture.

  • Moisture resistance. Gypsum putty that does not have this property can only be used in dry, heated rooms with constant humidity. In the bathroom or kitchen, it will absorb water vapor and swell. In such rooms, it is better to use cement-based putty.

Suggestions. Gypsum putty should never be used beneath ceramic tiles as it will cause the glue’s qualities to deteriorate as the tiles are being laid. However, you can use polymer glue or liquid nails to adhere gypsum tiles to it.

  • The putty should stick well to the wall and not worsen its performance characteristics. For example, special mixtures based on silicate, silicone, lime-cement are produced for walls made of aerated concrete blocks or foam concrete.
  • The area of ​​application of the putty also matters – for internal or external work (see. Putty for external work – an affordable material for finishing facades). When tiling external walls, the instructions require the use of frost-resistant compounds.
  • The type of putty is selected depending on the degree of unevenness of the walls. Differences of up to 2 cm are leveled only by starting mixtures with a coarse-grained structure, and minor defects and deviations from the level can be corrected with the help of finishing or universal putty.

This is a crucial matter. Plaster must be used if the wall’s plane needs to be "pulled" to level by applying a layer thicker than 2 cm. This is because a thick putty layer might not be able to support the weight of the tile.

How to determine the thickness of the layer

The state of the surface and, above all, its evenness must be evaluated in order to determine whether puttying the walls beneath the tiles is required:

  • If it is durable, with minor differences and defects, you can refuse putty altogether, limiting yourself to a primer;
  • If there are small irregularities, determining their size and the required thickness of the leveling layer will allow you to calculate the required amount of material;
  • If the differences are more than 2 cm, there is no point in puttying, it is better to think about plastering or leveling the walls with plasterboard using a frame or frameless method – on glue.

Kindly take note. Putty will still be needed in the latter scenario to seal the spaces between the plasterboard sheets. It is chosen based on the previously mentioned criteria.

Using a long building level or plumb lines, you can determine the amount of putty needed to level the wall. Finding the surface’s most protruding point and taking measurements in relation to it are necessary for this.

Plumb lines are strung along the line of maximum protrusion and at the corners of the walls. The thread is pulled diagonally to verify accuracy.

Other tools, like a laser level, can also be used to assess how even the walls are.

How to putty correctly

Cleaning the surface of dust and debris and using plaster or construction foam to seal large cracks, chips, and other flaws are the first steps in preparing walls for tiling.

Subsequently, the surface needs to be primed (refer to Primer prior to wall puttying – necessity). It will be strengthened by the primer, which will also improve the putty’s adherence and prevent the growth of mold and fungus (if there is a chance of these things happening, go for a primer that contains antiseptic additives).

Putty is applied once the primer has dried. Recall that the thickness of its layer shouldn’t be more than 5 mm. If a thicker layer is needed, create multiple layers, priming each one after it dries.

Perfect evenness is not necessary, unlike when priming surfaces for painting or wallpapering; minor irregularities can be readily fixed with tile adhesive when cladding. Sanding and grouting walls are not necessary for the same reason. Conversely, for improved tile adhesion to the base, notches must be made on them following final leveling.

However, can tiles be placed on putty right away after it has been applied?

You cannot, I repeat. After the final layer has had time to dry, you must apply a deep penetration primer to it once more.

Additionally, make sure the putty sticks to the wall well and that no gaps remain underneath it before cladding. Use a rubber mallet to tap it; the sound should be consistent throughout.

Step Description
1 Ensure the putty is fully cured and stable.
2 Clean the surface to remove dust and debris.
3 Apply a suitable primer to enhance adhesion.
4 Use quality tile adhesive recommended for such surfaces.
5 Lay the tiles carefully, ensuring they are level.

It is possible to lay tiles on putty, but it takes the proper technique and careful planning. Making sure the surface is clean, smooth, and sufficiently primed before you begin tiling is essential to success. Following the right procedures will result in a finish that is both aesthetically pleasing and long-lasting.

It’s crucial to keep in mind that the adhesive and putty you choose can have a significant impact. Select materials that work well together and are appropriate for the circumstances of your area. You can prevent problems like tiles falling off or the surface deteriorating over time by paying attention to this little detail.

In conclusion, even though it’s not the most popular approach, tiling over putty is totally possible with the appropriate planning and methods. If you take the time to make sure everything is set up correctly, the result will be a stunning, long-lasting tiled surface.

Tiles can be laid on putty, yes, but careful preparation is needed to guarantee a solid bond and long-lasting finish. Using the proper adhesive, priming the surface for improved adhesion, and ensuring the putty has fully cured are the crucial steps. On a puttied wall, you can achieve a long-lasting and visually appealing tiled surface by using the proper procedure.

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Veronica Gerasimova

Interior designer, author of books on the design of residential premises. I will help you make your home not only functional, but also beautiful.

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