I found answers about laying tile and a backer board over linoleum I didn‘t know if they would be the same. What would cause tile to crack if it‘s places directly on concrete?
Go to a Tile Store. They now have Ceramic Tile which can be put on top of other flooring as long as the floor is level. Some of these Tiles can be snapped together. No Mud, no Grout.They look wonderful.
remove the vinyl tiles. There are great products that will help with loosening the tiles. should you decide to not remove the tiles this is what could happen. the tiles will move under the ceramic floor and cause cracks in the tiles. replacing the grout is easy not the tiles. if you start with a sound floor then you will have a ceramic floor that will last you for a good long time.
If a homeowner asked me to lay any kind of tile other than vinyl over the top of vinyl I would not warranty anything. The non vinyl tile will be adhered extremely well with the thinset to the vinyl tile, however, the vinyl tile, while it's stuck to the concrete, does have movement. If the sub floor moves something in the thinset, grout or porcelain/ceramic tile will have to give. If the thinset gives your tiles will come loose. If the grout gives you will spend the next 15 years replacing grout once a month. If the tile gives you will have cracks in the surface of the tile that creates a sharp edge to cut your feet on. Or a combination of the three. You must remove the vinyl. You can purchase a removal tool at Home Depot for a couple bucks. You can also get a day laborer that you will have to watch but will do the work for you for probably $75 or so. Once you have the tiles up and the floor cleaned (you don't have to be neurotic about the cleaning as the thinset will float over some things on the concrete) you'll need to inspect for cracks in the concrete. If there are cracks you'll need to purchase a crack mitigation kit. You can find them in the tile section of Home Depot. You'll need the package as well as the primer. There are instructions on the package but basically you cut the stuff to fit with a utility knife. Paint the primer on the floor and let dry as per instructions. Paint on the glue and lay the material over the glue. Let dry as per instructions and you're ready to tile with no worries about cracking tile.
do not lay ceramic tile over vinyl, vinyl moves. Ceramic does not and will crack
