Brick style splash back

[leftylewis1987]

i am currently doing alot of tiling on kitchen splash backs on council houses. the walls are in bad shape and the tiles are 200x100 brick style. i cant seem to get a good finish and there is alot of lippage.

im using a 6mm notched trowel but a few people have mentioned using a 8mm or even a 10mm. another tiler have also that just dabbing the tile would be better.

what do you think would work best?

 

[White Room]

What adhesive are you using...

 

[Rich]

Thicker trowel and a good quality cement based (powder) adhesive. You can also use the adhesive to make good of the wall before you tile.

 

[CJ]

Prep the walls.....................

 

[leftylewis1987]

norcross grab adhesive. its supplied for me.

 

[leftylewis1987]

only problem is the money is rubbish so cant afford to be preping walls. the council wouldnt care if a plumber tiled the walls as long as it gets done.

 

[Stef]

I gave away a council contract of 500 houses a few years ago for the same reasons,

Walls were a mess & i just wasnt happy with the state of the tiles,

I tiled one bathroom splashback & one kitchen & walked away.

Its as quick as they can get it done & they dont care the state of it.

 

[Time's Ran Out]

only problem is the money is rubbish so cant afford to be preping walls. the council wouldnt care if a plumber tiled the walls as long as it gets done.

As you are getting paid to tile, I'am assuming your a professional tiler and as such the work you are producing should be of a quality and standard which will be a credit to our trade.
If you are prepared to leave the work at a level below your own personal expectations due to the amount of money you are being paid, then I'd suggest one of two options - either change your job or charge more money and do it properly.

 

[leftylewis1987]

thats exactly it. because i have only been tiling 3 months i want to get stuck into it to give me experience. its not the best of jobs but id like to get it right.

 

[leftylewis1987]

as i said in my post iv only been tiling 3 months so i have little experience compared to someone who has been tiling for years. we all got to start somewhere. im working on council houses and they are limited on what the pay.

 

[White Room]

Did you do a course with anyone before starting out..

 

[leftylewis1987]

yes but only a 5 day course. once i got a bit of money coming in i will be doing my nvq.

 

[hillhead]

Nasty one, tell them to buy square tiles.lol.

 

[leftylewis1987]

the square tiles are a doddle. would you suggest a 8mm trowel to do the kitchen splash backs if the walls are bad?

 

[White Room]

If you using tubbed adhesive a bed of 3mm when fixed should be enough but any thicker it will take longer to dry....