advice needed : SLC kitchen floor with new kitchen just fitted

[sjw450]

Hi guys,
need some advice on leveling a kitchen floor.
job is 8 square metre floor to tile with 600 / 300 brick bond onto original concrete base,
the concrete floor is a mess, it had 2 levels of tiles originally down which the joiners removed and theres big chunks missing and holes all over it, it looks like the olympic bmx track!
if the joiners had levelled room when it was empty it would have made their lives easier as well as mine as they were complaining about a 30mm drop across floor. However they just left it and fitted new kitchen and said tiler will sort it lol
ive only ever used slc in empty areas with walls as a perimeter for it to set against, im needing a bit of advice how to do it as theres a brand new kitchen just been fitted, the kitchen units run all the way around the room so its basically the middle of room that needs screeded plus the 2 parts for washing machine and dishwasher which go right back to the wall
obvioulsy i cant screed up to plinths they need to come off so any ideas best way to do it?
also the slc will need to be pretty thick at some parts approx 20mm max, any recomended brands, im going to ctd later this afternoon
thanks for any help guys its just something ive never done
cheers
steve

 

[Gazzer]

Remove the plinths and get some hardboard, ply, backerboard strips to form a barrier to stop the flow of the leveller going under the units. Pour SLC and job done, I use Ultra level One or, Mapei renovation screed or Weber floor flex.

 

[sjw450]

great thanks for advice Sir Ramic, had that thought in mind just had to be told by someone else cheers for the advice on SLC brands,
Steve

 

[Dan]

Take some before and after shots for us We love pictures.

 

[bugs183]

Abnother alternative to the backerboard strips is using Instastick expanding foam, it dries in no time and will fill any holes that the leveller like to run down. It's low expansion, so it's easy to control.
It may pay to put some marmox boarding down to make up the levels, as you will use loads of SLC. Then as Sirarmic says level. Mapei Renovation screed is an amazing SLC. If you really want to make a plush job buy a spiked roller from trade tiler, this pops any bubbles and smooths out the floor to a lovely finish.

 

[Rookery]

And make sure the back door will open once you've SLC'd and tiled before you start. For damming, I use offcuts of marmox etc.

 

[AliGage]

I'm wondering why your kitchen fitter didn't rectify or get it rectified once they noticed the issue. I can only imagine what the kickboards look like. Can we have a picture please?

 

[Andy Allen]

'the tiler will sort it'............hummmm heard that one a few times..:mad2:

 

[AliGage]

'the tiler will sort it'............hummmm heard that one a few times..:mad2:

I think the "kitchen fitter" should of done his job properly personally.

 

[Ceramico tiling]

the tiler should be able to start from the highest point and just level it with the tiles. the leveling compound will just save on tile adhesive. I wouldnt bother if I was calling a tiler

 

[AliGage]

the tiler should be able to start from the highest point and just level it with the tiles. the leveling compound will just save on tile adhesive. I wouldnt bother if I was calling a tiler

To 30mm?

 

[Ceramico tiling]

To 30mm?

yes. I have never had a problem building up with adhesives.I build up low areas with adhesive (about half their depth) and then tile once it dries.If anyone has actual experience to the contrary I will deffo change my methods.???

 

[Qwerty]

yes. I have never had a problem building up with adhesives.I build up low areas with adhesive (about half their depth) and then tile once it dries.If anyone has actual experience to the contrary I will deffo change my methods.???

I have experience to the contrary as do all the other tilers I know. Your method is expensive, laborious & could lead to less than 100% coverage

 

[AliGage]

It would also void any warranty from the manufacturer for exceeding the maximum bed depth. Unless you use PTB but even then i'd say 30mm would probably exceed that too.

 

[Qwerty]

It would also void any warranty from the manufacturer for exceeding the maximum bed depth. Unless you use PTB but even then i'd say 30mm would probably exceed that too.

Without looking in my piles of literature I think it would indeed. Good shout mate

 

[Ceramico tiling]

I have experience to the contrary as do all the other tilers I know. Your method is expensive, laborious & could lead to less than 100% coverage

Yes if you cant do it,it will lead to under coverage!!Thats why its good to practice it not just rely on the mm of your notch trowel. All I want to know is what is your experience or anyone elses with the adhesive build-up?? Have you seen cracks or tiles cracking or what??

 

[charlie1]

the tiler should be able to start from the highest ppoint and just level it with the tiles. the leveling compound will just save on tile adhesive. I wouldnt bother if I was calling a tiler

Hi ceramico, do you mean tiler should get it flat or level,.... There is a big difference! To even attempt to build up 30mm of adhesive rather than using gravity and slc is totally beyond me. I can't think of an adhesive that goes that thick, and would be labouring and messy

 

[charlie1]

Yes if you cant do it,it will lead to under coverage!!Thats why its good to practice it not just rely on the mm of your notch trowel. All I want to know is what is your experience or anyone elses with the adhesive build-up?? Have you seen cracks or tiles cracking or what??

Why is it good to practice it??

 

[Ceramico tiling]

Hi Charlie

I havnt used SLC much, so I have always just used adhesives as I go.I level the floors and it isnt that messy once you get the knack.

 

[Qwerty]

Yes if you cant do it,it will lead to under coverage!!Thats why its good to practice it not just rely on the mm of your notch trowel. All I want to know is what is your experience or anyone elses with the adhesive build-up?? Have you seen cracks or tiles cracking or what??

Luckily I can honestly say that I have no experience in this situation. If it was done I would imagine it would far exceed max adhesive bed depth, could cause slumping, and in some situations it may not comply with British Standards. I have better things to do to be honest Ceramico than practice playing with adhesive bed depths!

 

[Ceramico tiling]

Why is it good to practice it??

I think its good to learn how to float a floor properly.I mean to learn exactly how much adhesive is required under a tile to achieve good coverage whilst considering what the floor is doing and the level. This I find helps with large format tiles and stone. You can also use it to create falls etc

 

[Qwerty]

You can also use it to create falls etc

Yes, I agree with you on this point

 

[charlie1]

Hi ceramico, I do wonder if your at the windup lol, slc is to tiles what ruler is to straight line, its maybe the easiest way to speed your work up and I think you should wholeheartedly embrace it. Pour....spread.... Spike roller.... Bing, level floor (overnight) I once was asked by customer to feather tiles up to inch deep bed as they had height issues, it was not an enjoyable experience, I think the adhesive I got on my snickers that day are still on them!

 

[Ceramico tiling]

Hi ceramico, I do wonder if your at the windup lol, slc is to tiles what ruler is to straight line, its maybe the easiest way to speed your work up and I think you should wholeheartedly embrace it. Pour....spread.... Spike roller.... Bing, level floor (overnight) I once was asked by customer to feather tiles up to inch deep bed as they had height issues, it was not an enjoyable experience, I think the adhesive I got on my snickers that day are still on them!

I must admit its been very hard work to do all my tiling this way. And there have been times that I have had to lift up every single tile,and some even over 4\5 times to adjust the adhesive/coverage. But I promise that after a few years your tiles will start wanting to level themselves for you no matter what the surface is like.You will get your full coverage without having to lift them up eventually.But most importantly you can transfer the skill to other trades like carpentry(which is what I am doing now). Because you have to work with your level every bloody second, eventually its like you get a little level in your head and you gain much more control over what ever work you are doing.. Probably not the best method as stated above, with which I do agree in terms of guarantees etc.But well worth the effort if one wants to challenge themselves and gain a useful skill. I am still so curious about the build up of adhesive and what ACTUALLY happens if it exceeds 20mm or so.??????? If anyone can tell me I will be very great full

 

[Qwerty]

I am still so curious about the build up of adhesive and what ACTUALLY happens if it exceeds 20mm or so.??????? If anyone can tell me I will be very great full

Phone Mapei technical on 0121 508 6970........ they will soon give you the info you require