Replacing linoleum with ceramic tile

I am replacing linoleum floors in 3 bathrooms with ceramic tile (concrete underneath). I have pulled out all linoleum already but there is still some adhesive that is stuck to the concrete. I am under the assumption that ALL adhesive must be removed in order to ensure that the new tile floor will be 100% level. My cousin owns his own home improvement business and says that a little adhesive on the floor is fine. I am willing to keep scraping away at the concrete floors to make sure they are all smooth if it is absolutely necessary, but if my cousin is right that would make life a lot easier! I would love to get some outside opinions about what my next move should be (scrape it all or start laying some tile!). Thanks!

 

Not everyone will agree with me but I think as long as there isn't an excessive amount of adhesive then you will be fine. If it were my house, I wouldn't scrape all of it off. I didn't in my dads house and ten years later it is fine and he wants me to tear it up because the tile color isn't up to date. Plus, I guess I am cheep labor. The thinset used to set the tile sticks better to cement than adhesive. It really is your choice but use your best judgement. If most of the adhesive is up then you'll be okay.
Good luck
Bryan

 

I appreciate your input Bryan.

 

I am doing the same thing! The bathroom I'm doing is small so after I pulled up the vinyl flooring, I scraped up as much old adhesive as I could with a razor blade scraper. What little is left, I can see through. I was wondering if I need to use some sort of adhesive remover.

Gary

 

The problem with the adhesive removers is that some of them will leave behind a residue in the concrete floor that will inhibit the bond of the thinset. If you can flush the floor real good you might get away with it but I myself would be afraid to do it. I like setting the tile once and then not worry about it anymore.

 

I don't know if this is good, but my buddy used an angle grinder w/brush type attachment to very lightly remove pieces of adhesive from his concrete bathroom floor. Maybe overkill, maybe not good. Just a suggestion.