Looks like we're installing ceramic floor tile in the living room. I've done plenty of tile work before. Tub surrounds, custom showers, kitchen counters & backsplashes, but never a floor.
Underlayment is 40-yr-old concrete slab. We're pulling up old linoleum floor tile squares from the 60s. These were adhered to the slab with asphalt mastic.
We intend to use thinset to lay the ceramic tiles but don't know if we should attempt to remove the old asphalt mastic first, down to bare concrete. This is NOT an easy or non-messy job. Size of the area would require several gallons high VOC and highly flammable solvent to remove the asphalt. (I should know. I've done this job before, too.)
Can we apply thinset & tile over the old asphalt mastic?
We appreciate knowledgeable answers from experienced individuals.
-Frank