Direct Tile Laying on Prefabricated Slab Houses

Prefabricated slab houses cannot have tiles laid directly; they must be processed according to standard procedures before construction. The specific steps are as follows:

I. Load-Bearing Inspection and Reinforcement

1. Load-Bearing Assessment:
   • Focus on checking for cracks, deformations, or unusual noises in the prefabricated slabs, especially in old houses that have been in use for over 30 years. If the floor slab makes a noticeable sound when stepped on, it indicates a decrease in load-bearing capacity, and reinforcement is necessary.
   • Reinforcement standard: The floor slab must be able to bear at least 150 kilograms per square meter, with high-quality structures capable of reaching up to 500 kilograms.
2. Reinforcement Methods:
   • Steel Beam Reinforcement: After precisely positioning on both sides of the wall, create installation slots for the steel beams. Use supports to fix the steel beams so that they fully adhere to the bottom of the prefabricated slab, distributing the load.
   • Carbon Fiber Cloth Reinforcement: Suitable for local damage, enhance the tensile strength of the floor slab by adhering high-strength carbon fiber cloth.
   • Reinforced Concrete Small Beams: Pour “X”-shaped small beams beneath the prefabricated slab. This requires drilling holes in the slab and grouting to ensure that the new and old structures work together to bear the load.

II. Base Layer Treatment

• Cleaning and Repair: Thoroughly remove dust and oil stains from the surface of the floor slab, and fill in pits with cement mortar to prevent tiles from cracking due to an uneven base layer.
• Anti-Slip Treatment: If the surface of the floor slab is too smooth, roughen it into a matte finish to enhance the adhesive strength of the tiles.

III. Tile Laying Method Selection

1. Wet Laying Method:
   • Tiles must be soaked in advance until no bubbles emerge, then dried in the shade before laying.
   • After laying, they must be cured for 48 hours, during which time they should not be stepped on to ensure full curing of the cement.
2. Dry Laying Method:
   • First, lay a thick layer of dry mortar as a bedding layer, suitable for houses with underfloor heating to reduce heat loss.

IV. Joint and Expansion Treatment

• Prefabricated Slab Joints: Fill with flexible materials (such as glass glue or foam glue) to prevent hard materials from causing tile cracking.
• Tile Expansion Joints: Leave a gap of 2-5 millimeters to prevent hollowing caused by temperature changes or structural settlement.

V. Other Considerations

• Floor Height Impact: The thickness of tile laying is approximately 5-8 centimeters, so the floor height should be measured in advance to avoid affecting indoor space usage.
• Moisture-Proof Treatment: New houses should be aired out for at least half a year to allow full dissipation of moisture before tile laying; otherwise, tiles are prone to bulging.
• Professional Confirmation: Before tile laying in old houses, it is advisable to commission a structural engineer to assess safety to avoid risks caused by blind construction.