Top Floor Apartment - Tiles

Hi All

I own a top floor apartment and want to get my bathroom and kitchen floor tiled, I have lifted the lino that was left by the last owners and the floor underneath seems to be sheets of plasterboard or something similar - the floor is the same in both the bathroom and kitchen and it squeaks a little and is raised slightly in a couple of places.

I am just wondering does the floor itself need to be replaced before tiles can go on it or if I lift these plasterboards does anyone know would there be concrete under them to lay the tiles?

if anyone has any ideas let me know -

thanks so much

I think its fair to assume that, as an apt, the floor is concrete underneath, from a fire perspective.

What's in the rest of the apt: are the floors all the same level? the stuff in the kitchen.bath-room could be just a layer of 'felt' to 'insulate' the lino from the cold concrete floor.

If u remove one of the kickboards in the kitchen u 'may' get a better idea

all the floors are the same level - sitting room, bedroom and hallway have wooden floors - will remove one of the boards and see what is underneath! thanks for the response

Top floor here as well, when we lifted the previous floors there was a thin sound proof lining (a rubber like material) over the concrete. The tiler recommended to just tile over it to minimise noise for downstairs so that’s what we did.

thanks flattea2 - have the tiles stayed in place after tiling over the rubber like material? did you have the "plaster board" type boards over the concrete? thanks again

Sounds like whoever laid the lino put in plasterboard underneath as a cheap & nasty solution to bring the lino covered floor up to the same level as the floors it met. Lift some of the plasterboard and let us know what's underneath (as others have said, should be bare concrete or concrete covered in a thin soundproofing membrane.)
Leo

marty999 said:

thanks flattea2 - have the tiles stayed in place after tiling over the rubber like material? did you have the "plaster board" type boards over the concrete? thanks again

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Hi, no there was no plaster board. Yes the tiles have stayed in place fine. Tiler said there would be no issues and it wouldnt be fair either (to the neighbours downstairs) to put tiles directly on concrete

I think it may be less to do with being fair to the neighbour and more to do with being in compliance with Part E of the Building Regulations, Sound, which is the law.

http://www.environ.ie/en/Publications/DevelopmentandHousing/BuildingStandards/FileDownLoad,1646,en.pdf (Technical Guidance Document E is here).

The appearance of a non-concrete substrate beneath the floor finish gives cause for concern.

I strongly advise that you have the building inspected by a competent building professional to ensure it is in compliance with its Fire Cert and the Building Regulations.

ONQ.

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All advice on AAM is remote from the situation and cannot be relied upon as a defence or support - in and of itself - should legal action be taken.
Competent legal and building professionals should be asked to advise in Real Life with rights to inspect and issue reports on the matters at hand.