QUESTION: Hi Expert, I too have formica laminate on the wall and want to replace it with tile. Since my new countertops are not as thick as the old ones, and there was a metal strip between old countertop and wall laminate, there is now a gap of drywall of approximately 1 inch between the granite countertop and the bottom of the wall laminate. Can I fill this in with something to make the backing surface even, and if so, what can I use? There are several places within this gap where they drywall is damaged from countertop removal, but I believe these areas could be spackled.
Unfortunately before discovering this site, I took advice on an associate at a major home improvement center, who told me I could not tile over the laminate but that the laminate would pull off easily from the wall. I attempted to pull one piece off and most of the covering on the drywall came off with it. I don't suppose there is any repair for this other than replacing the drywall? The total size of the area I attempted to pull off is 24 x 36 and about 1/2 of that area still has laminate, which will not come off and the other half has naked dry wall. Luckily for me, this area is separate from my main kitchen area, where the laminate remains intact.
Thank you very much for your advice.
Mary
Answer
Dry wall is not a suitable surface to adhere ceramic tile too, because the drywall will not hold on to the tile very well. I have suggested to all who ask this question to remove the drywall from the wall all together and install 1/2" thick BC grade plywood to stick the tile too.
This is done so that you will have a great permanent surface to install your tile too with out any problems in the future.
You can stick ceramic tile to a plastic laminate surface with out problems provided that the laminate is securely stuck to the wall surface. In your case I would finish removing the laminate and the drywall behind it and put up the plywood in it's place to end any problems with your tile installation and to insure that you will not have problems in the future.
As for the gap you asked about, you can go to your local tile store and find a matching border to install in this gap and on one will know the difference.
I wish you all the best,
Kitchen Backsplash Ideas Expert
Friday, January 16, 2009
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It may be harder to decide on one design than it is finding Kitchen Backsplash Ideas for your new or updated kitchen . Read more Latest article about Kitchen Cabinets at http://kitchen-backsplash-ideas2.blogspot.com/.
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It may be harder to decide on one design than it is finding Kitchen Backsplash Ideas for your new or updated kitchen . Read more Latest article about Kitchen Cabinets at http://kitchen-backsplash-ideas2.blogspot.com/.
"Discover How I Saved Over $10,000 on My Kitchen Remodeling Project Using Ikea Kitchen Cabinets and You Can Too!" Click here Now!!!
Thanks for you help. I wasn't clear about my question regarding the walls where I will not remove the formica. The formica ends about 3/4 inch above the countertop, but the drywall does not. Therefore there is drywall below the formica, but that 3/4 inches up the wall is not level with the formica surface. Can I fill this with something to make the surface level or can I just mastic or thinset at a greater thickness here to allow the tile to be level against the wall?
ReplyDeleteThanks again.
Mary
Hi Mary,
ReplyDeleteIf the difference in thickness between the laminate back splash and your
new counter top is only the thickness of the laminate and it is stuck to the wall about 1 inch above the new top you can use your thin set and a putty knife to fill this area and smooth it out and let it dry completely. Next to install your tile over your laminate follow my instructions below.
If you sand the Plastic laminate with as coarse grit sand paper as you can find to create grooves in the laminate for the thinset to bond too it will work. I use a " Latex Modified Thinset" for these tile installations. This type of thinset is a cement based product with a latex additive. No other type will work to bond the tile to the wall.
After you get the tile installed allow at least 24 hours for the thinset to cure before grouting.
Good Luck,
Hi Mary,
If the difference in thickness between the laminate back splash and your
new counter top is only the thickness of the laminate and it is stuck to the wall about 1 inch above the new top you can use your thin set and a putty knife to fill this area and smooth it out and let it dry completely. Next to install your tile over your laminate follow my instructions below.
If you sand the Plastic laminate with as coarse grit sand paper as you can find to create grooves in the laminate for the thinset to bond too it will work. I use a " Latex Modified Thinset" for these tile installations. This type of thinset is a cement based product with a latex additive. No other type will work to bond the tile to the wall.
After you get the tile installed allow at least 24 hours for the thinset to cure before grouting.
Good Luck,