Help to identify floor material

[Drifterjoe]

Hi got a job to tile a hallway and downstairs cloakroom in an old property.

Having ripped up the tiles I've found a red floor that isnt paint as I've scratched deep into it. It seems like a dyed cement but is softer than cement?

Anyone know what it is and how to prep for tiles.

I was hoping to just prime and SLC.

 

[Drifterjoe]

 

[Andy Allen]

Looks like interior asthalt....
Very popular in old council houses.

 

[Drifterjoe]

Hi thanks for that. Think your right after looking it up.

So in that case SBR and Self level over the lot??

 

[Andy Allen]

Providing its floor grade asthalt, I would remove any loose material, slurry coat it for extra bond, level it using a flexible latex, and tile it using flexible adhesive and grout.. 🙂

 

[Dumbo]

I would probably prime using one of prime and grip primers on the market as the are designed for amongst other things impervious backgrounds

 

[Ajax123]

Was the existing floor well bonded. I see there is some cement leveller left on it which suggests it was. It could be asphalt but could also be magnesite which was very popular in council houses. Its easy to tell using a moisture test meter. If its magnesite it will show very wet even though it will be bone dry. This is because magnesite is conductive so allows the meter to pass a current. if its asphalt it wont. If it is magnesite modern adhesives really struggle to stick so be careful to take advice from the adhesive manufacturer.

 

[Drifterjoe]

Thanks for the help guys. Going to get hold of a moisture metre and see what it says.