laying quarry tiles on top of an existing quarry tile to earth floor

[Dawn Louise]

My house was built in 1905 and the kitchen floor is comprised of quarry tiles on top of earth and ash with no damp proof membrane. I am desperate to avoid having to dig this out. I want to lay new traditional quarries on top of the old. What special processes do I have to follow, for example, do I have to use special sealants and adhesives?

[buildersmate]

It sounds like you don't intend to put in any Damp-proofing. If you are satisfied with the performance of the building currently then there is no Building Regulation reason why you have to upgrade - but I guess you know that modern houses have a DPM underneath the concrete screed, a PVC sheet basically, which ties into a DPC (damp proof course) in the walls. Your house presumably has neither.

Assuming the existing floor and stable and firmly attached, I'd just use a cement-based floor tile adhesive. Look for products by BAL, Ardex or Howtex. Local tiling specialists will be able to show you. The tiles themselves are impervious to water, of course, and you can make the grout waterproof to a certain extent by an additive that is mixed into the grouting mix water. Such additives are normally used in bathrooms to stop water pentrating the walls - you'd be using it in reverse.

[spudqueen]

Our first house was built in about 1903 and we had dry rot which apparently originated from underneath the bottom stair where there just bare earth, so be very careful.

[Dawn Louise]

Thanks for your replies. Have taken note of both.