Riven slate floor tiles

[Eddie]

Hi hows it hangin lads. Just a wee question for u all. I've just been to price a job, 16m2 of slate floor tiles in a consevatory. the lady was told because it is riven slate it is less porus, so needs less sealing, is that right?. I've never used slate before are there any pitfalls with it. any of you're experiences with slate good and bad would be appreciated.

cheers eddie
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Oh yes, also how much adhesive will i need for 16m2 of slate tiles on a concrete floor, and will it have to be a flexi adhesive. The concrete floor is very rough, it looks worse than my garage floor, and i get sore knees on that. maybe thats just my age:sad_smile:. still 21 in the head though:wink_smile: .

 

[sc24]

it still needs sealing whatever, so take no notice of that get the floor flat with some self-leveling (bal multibase is ok) i would use a flexi just to be on the safe side you never can tell what your going to get with slate, as regards to addy if its uncalibrated slate then i always allow 2-3m2 a 20k bag, if you do the job make sure you backfill the edges and corners so there are no voids

 

[GazTech]

I agree with sc24 there,always seal them prior to grouting......Gaz

 

[Ric]

lay those thick ones first and use thin ones around edges. just laid slate in kitchen and my advice is to take your time getting tiles even cause i have a few with lips because i rushed at beginning!! thats my advice m8, all the best

 

[CLAYS TILES]

I agree with sc24 there,always seal them prior to grouting......Gaz

gaz wot do you use when sealing?
here's the stupid question coming......................ready...............


wot do u mean when sealing? all over or just the grout lines?

i've laid slate but never sealed them, first time i had ever used slate! quick job done for a builder!!! don't usually do rush jobs may i point out!!!! :shades_smile: shady!

 

[sc24]

i use lithofin slate seal or stain-stop w if you dont want to change the appearance, seal the joint as well, will keep them looking fresh

 

[Ric]

seal twice before and once after grouting

 

[devonmark]

i prefer to seal prior to laying as well...

 

[CLAYS TILES]

wot can happen if it doesn't get sealed?

 

[sc24]

the grout can migrate into the surface and stain especially polymer modified grouts, you can end up with a 'picture frame' effect

 

[Eddie]

Thanks for all the advice lads, sorry i've not been back on to respond to you're replies.been night shift down at mill. Anyway the customer thinks she has changed her mind, thinks she is going to go for granit instead. she is buying tiles, adhesive, sealer from the net. Are the pitfalls the same for granit as slate. what should i look for with granit?
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the floor looks level but the surface is rough. should i still put self leveling compound on it?. its a new floor.

 

[sc24]

if its polished granite then the sub-floor needs to be like a billiard table, you lay them with a tight joint 2-3mm any undulations will reflect in the surface so they have to be laid flat and level, get the customer to check with the supplier about sealing, some need it some dont

 

[Eddie]

thanks sc, does that mean self leveler is always a must with granit tiles? I've never used self leveler either.

 

[sc24]

not always, now and again you might come across a screed that is actually flat! as with any tile you want to get the floor as flat as possilbe to make your job easier, self levelers are ok to use make sure you mix the correct proportions and spread it with a steel float also you can use a straightedge as a screed to drag it across the floor and trowel the sides

 

[Eddie]

cheers sc. when you say flat do you mean smooth or just level?

 

[Fred]

Grade all the slate first. That is, go through all the boxes and put them all into 4 piles, thick to thin. Start with the thickest. You can then start off with a 8mm trowel, then to a 100mm trowel as the slate gets thinner. That way, you can save on the addy. The floor has to be dead flat for this method.

If the mid-to thin slate does go under the height of the thicker tiles with the 10mm trowel, I back=butter with a 6mm to make up the difference.

Good luck. PS, seal twice, once after grouting. Continue to change your water when removing the grout.

 

[sc24]

hi ed, basically put a 2-3metre straight edge across the floor if you can see more than a 3mm gap underneath then this will probably need smoothing, not necasarily level but flat especially for granite/limestone