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epsilona01 t1_j9s5bnh wrote

In my experience, you can spend a lot of time and money cleaning the grout around tile you're already not happy with, and still not be happy at the end of the process.

Nothing solves the problem better than an SDS Hammer Drill with chisel attachments followed by a tiling professional.

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Opposing_Thumbs t1_j9s5vyu wrote

In this case just tile over it.

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IronSlanginRed t1_j9s7tan wrote

In most cases I wouldn't suggest this. But that would level out the threshold, and if it's straight on concrete it shouldn't deflect any or crack much. It's actually a decent use case. Basically using the old tile as an extension substrate.

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juicius t1_j9u05kr wrote

Self-leveling underlayment?

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leviathan65 t1_j9udf38 wrote

You could, but kinda an unnecessary step since you have to put down adhesive of mastic or thin set. These look even enough that the trowel will level the adhesive for a good bond. Depending on size. Big ass tiles are a pain in the ass.

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epsilona01 t1_j9s88vv wrote

Always looks crap, never settles well, transitions look silly. Worse, you're just leaving double trouble for the next person down the line. Do the job properly (I just spent a month removing a double tiled floor).

I bought a house built by the person who built the terrace of houses of which it's part, he built this place for himself. One look at the roof (no lead in the rain channels, joists too thin) and I knew he'd cut every corner imaginable. However, it's huge, south facing at the rear, with a triple sized garage outbuilding which is also south facing, and I'm handy.

Paid for the full flight survey, got a whopping discount on the condition of the building. BUT year round solar from sunrise to sunset on two roofs means tiny electricity bills, and I got a large workshop to play in.

Man, do I curse the work of the bloke who built it on the daily. I think he built it from the spare parts he had left from the other houses, nothing about it makes sense. Bizarre drainage, floors in thermal contact with the outer skin of the building, garden walls build on six inches of micro gravel, brick interior in the chimney, the roof looks like it was built from plans made by a child.

However, if you like DIY, want free electricity, lots of space, and a big workshop you couldn't otherwise afford, then removing the artex from every inch of every wall in the house was worth the effort.

All that said, don't half arse it.

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foxrue OP t1_j9thllb wrote

Ha, this is basically what my partner said!

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random_internet_data t1_j9t82lh wrote

Followed by... Putting down something other than tile.... I hate tile on the floor. Shower walls, backsplashes, etc. are great, tile floors suck.

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merdub t1_j9tgh3m wrote

I agree with you. They’re SO cold, the grout ends up looking super gross so fast, they can make a space echoey, they’re hard on your back & feet, they show every little drip, smudge, footprint.

For a small bathroom I’d be fine with it but I would never ever tile anything larger than that in my house.

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AdmiralPoopbutt t1_j9tj7ua wrote

Cold floors is a feature in hot climates. We have area rugs where appropriate and wear comfy slippers in the winter.

Wall to wall carpet is gross, even in a shoe-free household. I owned a very nice carpet cleaner when we had carpet and learned quickly that it is impossible to fully clean. With tile if you can wipe with a white cloth and not pull up much dirt, you can be assured that it is actually clean. All kinds of nasty stuff can hide in carpet even with excellent care.

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random_internet_data t1_j9tqibx wrote

Team roll out vinyl? It's like the opposite.

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merdub t1_j9u4sz6 wrote

If I was doing something from scratch I’d put in-floor heating under the tile in the bathroom, and engineered hardwood/LVP everywhere else.

Maybe put a carpet surround around the tub, just for that extra cozy moldy vibe.

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kingfrito_5005 t1_j9val1y wrote

>the grout ends up looking super gross so fast

This is why I love black grout! Also I think it just looks cool, especially with brightly colored tiles.

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epsilona01 t1_j9tgpj4 wrote

The last one I put down had 4" of rockwool and electric underfloor heating, because without that you're just installing a giant cold radiator.

I agree, anything but tile unless you have no other option.

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random_internet_data t1_j9tqftv wrote

For bathrooms in my house, I love rollout vinyl now. It's cheap, easy, 100% waterproof and super comfortable.

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epsilona01 t1_j9ucnxy wrote

I did riven slate in the kitchen because I love it to death, but vinyl is the very best stuff for bathrooms and it's so easy to replace.

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