Adcive for laying slate floor tiles

[Dave Ramsden]

Slate flies down but only if you know what you are doing... The prep has to be perfect! Even if this is the case you will still find yourself packing up here and there. I personally never find the time to seal/treat slate before fitting and this always creates more of an effort when giving a final clean.
Everyone works with their own methods really.

General rule of thumb is,
- Flexi addy
- Back skim each tile before laying
- Keep EVERYTHING as clean as possible at all times
- Try to keep foot traffic after setting to a minimum
- I cut everything outside with just an angle grinder
- Apply sealers with a foam roller and used clean dry rags to finish off
- Always make sure everything is dry before applying any sealers


Hope this helps a bit...

 

[James Spelrem]

use gauged slate as simple as setting normal tile, on concrete ? or wood? I really like stone tech enhancer pro takes time to dry tough stuff. wash well 1 coat to seal tile grought let cure finish coat ungauged slate is a art to lay but I love the jagged face I know you hate this one Dan but use lash clips on ungauged it pulls the face up flush just use a half inch trowel

 

[doug boardley]

use gauged slate as simple as setting normal tile, on concrete ? or wood? I really like stone tech enhancer pro takes time to dry tough stuff. wash well 1 coat to seal tile grought let cure finish coat ungauged slate is a art to lay but I love the jagged face I know you hate this one Dan but use lash clips on ungauged it pulls the face up flush just use a half inch trowel

do you get many breakages James, after it's been subject to foot traffic?

 

[James Spelrem]

no you still have to ensure there is enough motar is under the tile lash is not the solution to all problems but what it is ment for is a wonderful aid.

 

[windy]

hi did my own slate floor some weeks back,400/400 it was indian slate it said it was calibrated but i still found them to vary.so i sorted them out laid the thickist in centre and worked out.I used a flexible floor adhesive and flexible dark grey grout.I must say you have to work very cleanly.But it looks fantastic thats not me saying that people who have seen it say.Got some advice on sealing them from the chaps on here i ended up using lithiolin slate impregnater and it works a treat.ps i would remove any obsticles in the way to make it easier

 

[Alberta Stone]

Hello,

Iive bought slate floor tiles and was just wondering how easy they are to lay??

When i was in topps tiles buying grout for my wall tiles i was quizzing the bloke about laying slate tiles. He was telling me not to bother as they are a nightmare to cut, my toilet and sink won't sit level and you've to treat them before you lay them, then after i've layed them then i have to seal them.

Can anybody tell me if what i've been told is right and since i'm a novice whether i'd be better laying normal tiles or even vinyl???

Cheers

Slate is not a problem to cut, but there are many kinds, you just need a good blade designed for stone.
DeWalt makes a good blade, I just got a dewalt wet saw as my target cratered and the stock blade cuts through slate quite nicely as well as travartine.
Slate, being a natural product comes in all kinds, some are perfectly flat and laying them level is no different than tile or granite, others are wavey and bent and require lots of chiseling (after installing) to make them proper,
To make your sink set level you need to choose which pieces you will use around the sink.
I usually pull the worst bent pieces aside and use them for cuts.

The slate doesn't need to be sealed before laying.
Just use a sponge and water and clean the thinset from the face of the slate as you go.

If they are really uneven you just need to vary the amount of thinset you put under them.
Always backbutter.

I like slate. Work with it often.

 

[Time's Ran Out]

Mr B Curtis - As this post is almost 3 months old I was wondering how you got on?
Did you go for slate?
Reading through the posts it would seem that the opinions tend to agree that the slate choice is not for the novice but for those that do fix slate it is a fantastic product - myself included.
Done properly it is in a league of its own!. View attachment 3611

Update please!
John.

 

[Alberta Stone]

Nice pic TG.
fairly smooth surface slate.
The product which is most popular these days seems to be the extremely rough and wavey variety....at least I have been putting in a lot of it, so much chipping is required after it is installed to remove the lippage issue.

 

[bcurtis]

Hey, I am actually just about to start now that i have a week of work....have been working away a lot for last couple of months so never had enough time to make a start and finish it within day or two so didn't want to start and be rushed.

Thanks for all the posts and advice....i am going to give the slate a go....may as well since i've already bought it. Didn't get it from topps got it from internet, but didn't pay much for it so it'll be cheap stuff.

One question i do have...what size of spacers do i use?? My mate said 5mm to allow for any parts of existing floor that are uneven.

I'm planning to lay it in staggered formation rather than grid....think staggered looks nicer. Anything i need to watch out for laying this way??

The one thing i'm a bit concerned by is the new height of my toilet and sink when placed on top of the slate as obviously water pipes...waste pipes etc are already in place so would it be better to try and cut around these so i don't have to worry about having to piddle around with new pipes etc??

 

[david campbell]

Hey, I am actually just about to start now that i have a week of work....have been working away a lot for last couple of months so never had enough time to make a start and finish it within day or two so didn't want to start and be rushed.

Thanks for all the posts and advice....i am going to give the slate a go....may as well since i've already bought it. Didn't get it from topps got it from internet, but didn't pay much for it so it'll be cheap stuff.

One question i do have...what size of spacers do i use?? My mate said 5mm to allow for any parts of existing floor that are uneven.

I'm planning to lay it in staggered formation rather than grid....think staggered looks nicer. Anything i need to watch out for laying this way??

The one thing i'm a bit concerned by is the new height of my toilet and sink when placed on top of the slate as obviously water pipes...waste pipes etc are already in place so would it be better to try and cut around these so i don't have to worry about having to piddle around with new pipes etc??

5mm spacers should be fine,it's really personal choice depending on the size of the tiles,just make sure you set out well before you start as this will help avoid any fiddly cuts around toilet,pipes etc.maybe try to lay the floor dry(with no adhesive) first to see how it looks before you stick it down,and try to work as clean as you can to avoid any staining,and make sure you follow any instructions on sealers about times for wiping of any excess residue