Afraid to lay 20 tiles!

[Monsoon]

OK, a bit dramatic but I want to get it perfect 1st time.

The tiles are large format 600mm X 600mm floor tiles.

From my research a flat surface = success, so I decided to put down self levelling compound over the undertile cables.

The surface is level, although the compound has not created a totally flat surface.

I dry laid approx half of the tiles to see how the small variation affected how the tiles sat. What I noticed was some of the corners kicked up 1 - 3mm, not all the tiles but a few.

So the question (finally

) .....

Should I rely on losing these variations when I stick'um down (20mm U notch trowel (as per sticky))?

or plan b,

Go over the high spots with my orbital sander prior to laying and get them perfect pre-adhesive?

 

[strongboes]

If they are 600*600 then and it's only 1 or 2ml after drylaying then you should be fine with that trowel, make sure you lift them to check contact area though.

 

[tiler tom]

You should easily loose that amount of lipping with such a thick bed of adi.

 

[grumpygrouter]

Got to agree with previous comments, you should be able to accommodate that variation.

Grumpy

 

[Monsoon]

make sure you lift them to check contact area though.

Should I lift every tile and check'em?

Is this done after bedding in and levelling the tile?

Do you lose the suction on the tile when you remove and replace a tile?

Soz for so many questions, bit nervous of making a balls up of my new kitchen.

 

[DHTiling]

On a tile of that size it would be wise to use a thick bed adhesive..something like BAL PTB flexible....You can then use a 10mm u-notch trowel and the back butter as well to accomadate the uneveness , this will then make sure you get a solid fix....
BAL PTB flexible can be bought from CTD.....


BAL PTB (Pourable Thick Bed) Flexible

A highly polymer modified, flexible, rapid-setting, water-resistant, frost-resistant floor tile adhesive, especially suitable for fixing tiles, including fully vitrified and porcelain tiles to low porosity backgrounds and bases. Sulphate-resistant, cement-based, pourable, thick-bed solid-bed floor tile adhesive suitable for fixing ceramic tiles, quarries, natural stone and terrazzo in interior and exterior situations. Its consistency makes it particularly suitable for fixing large tiles and those with profiled backs. Back-buttering is not necessary. Suitable for use on concrete, cement:sand screeds, ceramic/quarry tile/terrazzo/hard natural stone, plywood overlay, vinyl tiles/sheet, mastic asphalt. BS EN 12004 C2F Adhesive

Coverage:Grey - ‘Thick bed solid bed trowel’ = 5.4kg/m²
Grey - ‘Large format trowel’ = 8.3kg/m²
White- ‘Thick bed solid bed trowel’ = 4kg/m²
White - ‘Large format trowel’ = 7.3kg/m²Bed Thickness : 3-25mmOpen Time: 20 mins Setting Time: 3 hoursPackaging:20kg bags Shelf Life: Grey 6 months when Stored in normal dry conditions. Protect from damp.
White 12 months when Stored in normal dry conditions. Protect from damp.Temperature Resistance: -30°C to 100°CColour: Grey / White

 

[Dan]

And don't plug that sander in near your heating!

 

[alex1963]

you dont need to lift every tile just a few should give you a pretty good idea,but if they go down and line up too easily ,with no mess up the sides ,then check them.i use a 12 to 15 mm notch trowel with 600's and i dont like to butter them as it makes the tiles very heavy and because i do lots of 100m2 plus floors ,that equals lots of lower back problems. mahe sure you keep a sponge and clean water handy and clean up as you go

 

[Monsoon]

Thanks guys for your assistance on this one.

It turned out a great success, the small variations in the floor were absorbed by the large amount of adhesive I seem to get through (nearly 3 X 20kg bags) for 7m2

Anyway, the main thing was getting a quality finish and I feel I achieved that.

One tip that I worked out, was to butt the tile up to the previously levelled tile, without spacers. I then bedded the tile in, so it was completely flush. The tile was then pulled away slightly and I inserted the spacers.

It took me a few tiles before I worked this out and it seemed to be the quickest way to get a perfectly flat surface.

Anyone wanna buy a pair of partly knackered knees ... I need a new pair now🙂

 

[GazTech]

Thanks guys for your assistance on this one.

It turned out a great success, the small variations in the floor were absorbed by the large amount of adhesive I seem to get through (nearly 3 X 20kg bags) for 7m2

Anyway, the main thing was getting a quality finish and I feel I achieved that.

One tip that I worked out, was to butt the tile up to the previously levelled tile, without spacers. I then bedded the tile in, so it was completely flush. The tile was then pulled away slightly and I inserted the spacers.

It took me a few tiles before I worked this out and it seemed to be the quickest way to get a perfectly flat surface.

Anyone wanna buy a pair of partly knackered knees ... I need a new pair now🙂

Tell Gaz about it...........put up with 22yrs, creeping around smelly bogs, lol:15: