We have a stained concrete floor that we want to tile over. Was told in a quote that the stained concrete will have to be sanded/ground off so grout will adhere to the tile. Room is 16x22. Quote said will take 5hrs to take off the stain surface. Anyone have experience with this? Does the stain have to be removed so grout will adhere?

TIA.

The top coat sealer atleast needs to be removed and it is reccommended that you sand down for better adhesion but there are mixed reviews on that step and whether it is truly required. What other flooring is adjacent. You could also cover with 1/4" backer board or another underlayment layer.

What he said.

If you can handle the added height, just put cement backer board over it.

Thanks 04 & Josepi. Your replies really help & appreciated.

Just did this exact thing this past summer. The sealer/wax was just scuffed up pretty good before the tile was laid. It was very messy, but came out perfect.

Chevy, How was it scuffed up? Did you do it? What equipment was required? Thanks.

You really just need to get your sealer up. You can rent a floor grinder and take the sealer off. If you just "scuff" it, your old sealer "can" act as a bond breaker. Take the time and prep it correctly. You do not have to grind all of the stained concrete off, just get the sealer off.

jpt, thanks. Good advice. May try to do myself.

I sold those sealers and stains for 13 years. You might consider grinding and polishing the concrete floor instead of tiling over it. Concrete can be beautiful if you take the time.

LuvMarley, The contractors I hired did it. They just used a floor buffer with a very coarse pad. They also used a solution that was sprayed on the floor. I do not remember what it was. Sorry. It did make a pretty good mess. I covered everything in plastic and we still ended up with dust in our cabinets somehow.

Chevy, good feedback. Thanks. Maybe worth the effort to try.