Alright lads have a bit of a problem floor. House built 1920's with ceramics onto solid base but house obviously no DPM. Lower end of water table with higher garden sloping towards house done a quick scan MC% 5.5 in areas before I even properly test (know will be damp anyway). Customer looking for Amtico Stardust to match as best as possible with kitchen (wooden sub, 9mm ply+ sparkly ceramics) so need options and opinions (I have my own and all will be gratefully received as customer will be shown thread so keep it clean!
Had very similar at my aunt house in wales. High ground all around. And very damp house. I screeded over ceramics with green bag 114 liquid Then 2 coats of F75 then prime and green bag again. Van Gogh on top. Been down about 5 years with no issues as was there in the summer an I always check.
na - 1C - na again or you could use the balls 1200 and their new dpm, but ive not used it yet so cant pass judgement etc
Ceramic floor tiles are usually impervious to water even without the ceramic coating. Unfortunately the grouting in between isn't! Just thinking if a hygrobox put over a joint would determine that. Also wondering if a surface dpm could be put directly over the tiles to save one layer of screed? Quick call to Ball or Ardex?
Not sure on the box but drill a hole through the grout & use a probe ! You normally need more than one coat over ceramic anyway so screed Dpm screed !
But we know there is damp under the tiles .....the question if if it's coming through so no point in drilling a hole. You wouldn't drill a hole through a surface dpm.
Sort of, ceramic tiles are actually effected by moisture. The glazed surface will act as a dpm hence they are used in wet areas. But the underside of the ceramic can still be effected by moisture. In bathrooms etc the water is hitting the glazed side and not the underside. . Normally wont show problems for years but will eventually break down. A sign is normally the tile starting to go dark. Problem is most people wont see this as the whole floor starts to go dark as one rather than a certain area and with out a original tile to compare to you would never know. on to the grout, the grout can be impervious to moisture but normally speaking is just resistant to moisture. Ye syou can get a reading with a hydro box. How long it takes depends on how impervious the grout is. Could take months. Ideally drilling through and getting a probe under the surface will give you fast results. even if the grout is classed as 'water proof' it will still leak moisture but at what rate? all depends on how much trust you have in the grout.
and how many people have seen a tile normally in one corner near a shower cubicle that has a haze to it??
I know this will probably get shot down, but have you thought about an isolator, like the fballs or Altro everlay and then lay the tiles with epoxy or polyurethane, I know they are not normally recommended for tiles, but as an option for a domestic I could see it working, I have laid a 30 meter area of bevel line in a contract resturant area over an old compersite flooring, It's been down for 3 years and still looking good.
