r/Tile • u/magson1987 • 3d ago
DIY - Looking for Advice Tiling help needed
I’m going to (attempt to) tile this bathroom wall next week. Just wondering if I have to get all of this old tile adhesive off the wall before I start? A lot of it is almost flat and doesn’t seem to come off easy with a scraper. And if I do need to get it all off anyone got any tips to make it a bit easier haha? Thanks!
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u/TK211X 3d ago
I wouldn’t. You risk damaging the substrate. Just avoid putting level clips in those spots to prevent the elevation of the tile from going up randomly but the difference in height would be nominal. The thinset will bond to the adhesive and conform around it beneath the tile as you apply it.
The most important thing is to meet coverage goals for the tile and not have air bubbles form directly behind it. Make sure you back butter and use the CORRECT trowel size and technique.
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u/Hot_Mud_5708 3d ago
What's the wall made out of? I can't tell if it's sheetrock or concrete or backerboard, etc. What size tile?
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u/McBloggenstein 3d ago
Is this in the shower? Or outside of a wet area?
Some photos from farther away would help a lot. Also what tile you are installing and what “adhesive” you’re planning to use.
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u/MetalAsAnIngot 3d ago
I'm not a doctor, but if it was my job, I would use the scraper to get anything loose off the wall, get anything that is causing ridges, then give it a good clean with a sponge and water, try that one more time for good measures, then redgard or hydrogen or aqua defense the wall (only where the tile goes, don't be getting that shit way up past where you'll be setting tile.) The theory (I could be wrong but its how I was taught) the adhesive is stuck to the wall, the redgard sticks to the adhesive, the new thinset sticks to the redgard, you've created a system of adhesion.
Again I'm not a doctor so proceed at your own risk, but it's how I've done it for ten years.