Old ceramic tile
Removal leaves thinset ridges that must be ground flat.
- Hollow or cracked tile is removed
- Ridges ground off
- Flatness rechecked
Tile Guide • Florida Slabs
Tile Over a Concrete Slab in Florida Homes
Almost every Jacksonville house built in the last 60 years sits on a concrete slab, and that slab decides whether new tile stays flat and crack-free. This guide covers what we check before setting tile on a Florida slab: flatness, cracks, movement joints, moisture and what has to come off first.
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Why the slab matters more than the tile
Tile is rigid. It does not bend with the floor, so anything the slab does, the tile shows: a crack in the concrete becomes a crack through the tile and grout, a hump becomes a rocking tile, and a dip becomes a hollow spot that cracks under a chair leg. Good tile installation starts with the slab, not the tile sample.
Large-format tile has made flatness much more important. The industry standard (ANSI A108.02) calls for a much flatter surface when any edge of the tile is 15 inches or longer: no more than 1/8 inch of variation in 10 feet, and 1/16 inch in 24 inches. A 24x48 porcelain plank set on a slab that was fine for 12-inch tile will show lippage at every joint.
Florida slabs also move with heat and humidity, and the house can settle over decades. That is why movement joints and crack isolation are not optional extras on bigger floors.
Flatness
1/8 in. in 10 ft for tile with an edge 15 in. or longer
Cracks
Shrinkage cracks get a crack-isolation membrane
Movement joints
Perimeter and field joints per TCNA EJ171
Moisture
Slab moisture checked before setting
Step 1
Checking and correcting flatness
We check the slab with a long straightedge once the old flooring is out. High spots are ground down; low spots are filled with a patch or a self-leveling underlayment. This is written into the estimate as floor preparation, separate from the tile labor.
Removing old tile usually leaves thinset ridges. Those must be ground off; setting new tile over them is one of the most common causes of hollow tiles we see in Jacksonville.
Step 2
Cracks and crack isolation
Hairline shrinkage cracks are normal in concrete. A crack-isolation membrane over the crack lets the slab move slightly without passing that movement into the tile. Cracks with one side higher than the other, or that keep widening, point to structural movement; tile is not the fix, and we will tell you that before quoting.
Existing control joints in the slab should be carried up through the tile as a soft joint, not tiled over.
Step 3
Movement joints
The tile industry's EJ171 guidance calls for soft (caulked) joints at the perimeter and at changes of plane, and field joints in larger floors, closer together in areas exposed to sun such as sunrooms and rooms with big glass doors. In Florida those sunny rooms are where tiles tent and pop when joints are missing.
We fill these joints with a color-matched sealant instead of grout, so they look like grout lines but can flex.
Step 4
Moisture and bonding
Moisture moving up through a Florida slab rarely hurts porcelain itself, but it can affect some setting materials and membranes. We follow the setting material and membrane manufacturer's limits, and concrete moisture testing is added when the slab looks suspect.
Paint, adhesive residue and sealers stop thinset from bonding, so they are removed mechanically before setting.
Quick Comparison
What can be under the old floor
Carpet
Tack strip nail holes and pad adhesive are cleaned up.
- Tack strip pulled
- Holes patched
- Residue removed
Glued vinyl or VCT
Older adhesives and tiles may need testing before removal.
- Older material tested first
- Adhesive removed mechanically
- No tile over residue
Terrazzo
Sound terrazzo can be a good base once cleaned and prepared.
- Bond checked
- Surface prepared
- Heights at doors planned
Our Process
How Braga Remodeling scopes the job
01
In-Home Visit
We look at the room, what is on the floor now and how the space is used.
02
Check What Is Underneath
We check the slab or subfloor, flatness and any material that needs testing before removal.
03
Recommend the Approach
We explain the options and what each one means for preparation, schedule and cost.
04
Written Estimate
You receive a written estimate with removal, preparation and installation as separate lines.
Service Areas
Estimates across Jacksonville and Northeast Florida
- Jacksonville
- Ponte Vedra
- Nocatee
- St. Johns
- St. Augustine
- Jacksonville Beach
- Orange Park
- Fleming Island
- Mandarin
- San Jose
- Riverside
- Julington Creek
- Atlantic Beach
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Enter your ZIP to see whether it is on our standard Jacksonville-area service list.
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FAQ
Common Questions
Yes, if the slab is flat, clean and sound. Most slabs need some grinding or patching, plus crack isolation over existing cracks.
Over hairline shrinkage cracks, a crack-isolation membrane is recommended. On larger floors or sunny rooms, an uncoupling membrane adds protection. We specify it based on the slab, not by default.
Often because a crack or control joint in the slab was tiled over without isolation or a soft joint. The slab moved and the tile followed.
It needs a flatter surface, so prep takes longer. The tile itself is not the problem; the slab flatness is.
Call (904) 520-1994 or use the estimate form. We check the slab in person and give you a written estimate.
Google Reviews
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5.0 average from 37 reviews on Google
“I had a great experience with this construction company. They were honest, reliable, and did exactly what they promised. The team was professional, hardworking, and paid attention to every detail.”
“We had an overall wonderful experience with Braga Remodeling. They were responsible, professional and communicated well throughout the process.”
“Excellent service and outstanding workmanship! The crew was punctual, respectful, and very knowledgeable throughout the entire project.”
Get a written estimate for your home
Tell us about the room and what is there now. We will check it in person and put the scope in writing. Call (904) 520-1994. Prefer to talk? Call (904) 520-1994 or email braga@bragaremodeling.com.
Call (904) 520-1994