We have included tile decks here as we are asked about them quite often. Tile decks should only be put on new buildings with all conditions designed for the installation of tile, not as an afterthought.
I get a lot of work repairing decks that someone placed tile over. It takes awhile, but water will find every weak point on a tile deck. DO NOT INSTALL TILE OVER AN EXISTING DECK!
Tile decks are not waterproofed by tile; rather they are first waterproofed in a conventional method, using deck waterproofing systems that can then have tiles placed over it. Many deck systems can have tile put down over them, however there are only a few that have been rated and approved by the Ceramic Tile Institute of America or by the Tile Council of America. See their websites for approved tile waterproofing deck products, practices and methods. Very careful planning is required, as is properly engineering the deck to carry the extra loads that tile places on a buildings framing system. We recommend that you use our Questions to Ask list that we developed that will help you understand the different deck coatings you might be presented with
Read an excellent article about tile decks and flashing/waterproofing issues here. This article has a lot of great information that must be read by anyone contemplating installing tile!
Tile decks need to have their tile and grout sealed, one to keep from getting stained and dirty, these sealers are the first line of defense in keeping water away from the waterproofing.Poor grout installation and mixing can help allow water to penetrate down to the underlayment/waterproofing. Dual membrane waterproofing systems are often required to waterproof the deck properly.
Existing decking systems are not good candidates for putting tile over- I do not recommend that tile be placed over an existing deck system, I have seen the results that can happen with that-tile over the stucco weep screed, blocked up scuppers, weep holes on sliding doors weeping water under the tile, the list goes on. Often times the hidden damage that occurs will end up costing you many times the cost of redoing the decks properly in the first place.
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