advice fixing natural stone tiles

[boxhead]

im after some advice lads.on short notice ive been asked by a builder to fix some large natural stone tiles on a wall. this is my first stone job.the tiles are 12mm thick and 400x200. they are quite heavy, some will be upside down under a shelf. 1; do you recommend a 6mm or 10mm trowel. 2; they are dusty, should i back skim them. 3; they are almost white,do i seal them, if so before grouting them and after.and finaly 4; what size grout spacer would you advise for the job.would appriciate the help as i start these in the morning.ta:huh2:

 

[Time's Ran Out]

1) Solid bed fix 8mm trowel .
2) Flat back on sponge wiped tile.
3) Seal them before you touch them! Seal them again before grouting - if clean and dry. Seal again if required after grouting and only if clean.
4) IMO 3mm.

Check what the wall surface is before fixing - weight!
Use a powdered fast set WHITE adhesive.

Timeless John.

 

[djr tiling]

i agree with john on most points i think the spacer size comes down to a couple of things
do the tiles have a rectified edge or are they tumbled edge ?
if rectified i would use 2 or 3 mm spacers
also ask the customer what size joint they want as they may have seen them fitted somewhere and they already have a look they are looking for
i would use a slower setting adhesive if you haven't done stone before but definitely a powdered one

and definitely check what surface you are fitting on there is a lot of weight there

oh and good luck and take your time

 

[Diamond Pool Finishers]

i agree with the lads good luck :yikes:

 

[milan11]

1. 10mm
2. yes, it only helps
3. depend what kind of stone
4. 1-2 mm
5. if you don't have enough experience with stone, never use fast set, always use slow set flexible (in your case white) adhesive

 

[DHTiling]

Moved to stone forum.

 

[boxhead]

thanks for the tips

 

[boxhead]

thanks a lot .the tiles have a slight bullnose on every edge.

 

[boxhead]

ill take all the tips on board.ta

 

[boxhead]

timeless john due to very inclimate weather it is very awkward to seal due to space.do you think if i sponge them vigerously as i fit them ,i could seal when fitted before i grout.

 

[DHTiling]

What stone is it....Not apple stone is it...?

 

[Time's Ran Out]

As djr tiling, if they have a bullnose on the edges they are possibly tumbled.
In this case a smaller joint 2mm might be aesthetically more appealing.
The advantage of fast set adhesive is with the larger heavier tiles there is limited back suction and you can fix a smoother finished face of the tiles.
If you can tile and mix just enough adhesive to use in 10/15min it is my choice.

Timeless John.

NO seal tiles BEFORE you look at them.

 

[boxhead]

i normally only mix a bucket at a time. thanks a lot.

 

[boxhead]

not realy sure sorry..

 

[boxhead]

im hopeing if i sponge as a go can i seal when fixed before i grout and then after.help me please.:whistling: