Dot Dab

[Saltire69]

The only Problem with a data sheet/correct fixing method is the customers themselves. Did a quote a few weeks ago for a referal and told him to take tiles off the walls. Said i couldn't do the job for about 6 weeks. He didn't want to wait and then picked 400x250 tiles. Saw him in the tile shop (when the other fixer was tiling his bathroom )getting some more materials. 2 part flexy for floor. Told him he didn't need that(he really didn't),asked about the wall tiles, Just tiling on top of them, you were the only 1 who told me to remove them. Sorry long winded but hope u understand.
Now my point is that i had been refered to him by one of his friends and the tile shop, but he still didn't listen to my advice. :mad2: It would help some though,not all like that.

 

[dean39]

Been a very good thread this and it would be good to use when quoting........should have a poll.................

 

[charlie1]

The only problem I can see when using this data sheet for quoting in a normal domestic situation is that the vast majority of customers would not know what you where talking about. Customers really only care about how good the job looks, the customer expects that we as tilers know what we are doing in terms of application of the tiles and never ask how we are going to be fixing them.

Put it this way I doubt if Mr and Mrs smith when looking through yellow pages to find a tiler are thinking “ get this guy round for a quote and mind ask, Price , when can he do it and ohh eye.......does he dot dab the tiles”. I've never ever had a customer ask me this and I would never ever alert a customer that these are the practices of some other tilers, it would just instantly create a bad feeling and the customer could possibly interpret this as scare mongering.

I know I said earlier in this post that I would use this when quoting however only as a reference if the subject of spot fixing was brought up by the customer.

 

[MICK the Tiler]

You are right in what you say charlie, People don't ask (Maybe they should) You also have to realize that tiling is 90% reputation and 10% everything else. It takes time and experience to become reputable in the industry and you cannot fast track as more and more of you clients come to see that you do the right thing and see this in your work your name will get around. Forget about trying to compete with the cowboys because you can't and who'd want anyway (Not me). I've had the same clients on my books for 15 years and they all still ring me up and ask for a tiling job done. They also know to ring 3 months in advance also because they know I'm always busy, and to always be busy is no fluke. Your reputation is the key to becoming a quality tradesman.

 

[The D]

Don’t know about BAL but Weber has a 200-page tiling solutions book if you send of for it they give it to you for free or you can look it up on there web site.

 

[Taz8130]

Don’t know about BAL but Weber has a 200-page tiling solutions book if you send of for it they give it to you for free or you can look it up on there web site.

A copy of this came with my course literature at PTS. IMO it's a great source of information, containing a large problem/solution section covering most situations. Contains cut away diagrams for various floor & wall surfaces and how to prep & tile them, even if you don't use weber products.

 

[The D]

A copy of this came with my course literature at PTS. IMO it's a great source of information, containing a large problem/solution section covering most situations. Contains cut away diagrams for various floor & wall surfaces and how to prep & tile them, even if you don't use weber products.

Exactly it don’t mater which manufacturer you use the principals are the same. The book is spot on IMO

 

[sibs]

Great thread... I think a data sheet would help to explain why sometimes you might need a lot more adhesive in certain situations

 

[Taz8130]

anyone got the sponsors book ? surely they have one ?

Evening Gaz

Just been on Mapei site but can't see any reference to product support book.

 

[The D]

anyone got the sponsors book ? surely they have one ?

Yes I have got that it is much the same as the little BAL bible but better :lol:

 

[DHTiling]

If you email Mapei they will send you there litle black book or if you have access to a CTD they keep them behind the counter...if not they will get you one...

 

[White Room]

I've got The "little Black Books" series, Have asked but can't seem to get any other printed information

 

[LM Ceramics]

Good thinking Mark. I could certainly speak to tech to see if some sort of literature can be written up and available to download for the pro fixers to print off for themselves.....who would agree that it would be useful to have to give this to their customers, any tilers then quoting the same job as you can then be quizzed by the customer as to which method they are going to use !!!! Not ony would this educate the customer but also give Wyatt Erp the the rope with which to hang himself....Gaz :hang:

put it this way if that happended then all the cowboys out there will have no job to mess up good thinking

 

[TJ Smiler]

Sorry to drag this thread back up but are you lot seriously saying that you have never under any circumstance dot and dabbed a floor, but doing it in a way that when you squash it down you are getting 100% coverage? or am i confusing dot and dab with packing out?

TJ

 

[TJ Smiler]

Ok I just read a thread similar to this one, think i was getting mixed up, what you mean by dot and dab is spot fixing, :ie 4 dots in the corners and a dab in the middle??

This i woulkd never reccomend but when it comes to floors i find that i am often having to pack them out, i do this by applying loads of big dabs on the back of the tile so that when i actually push it down to the level of the previous tile it squidges slightly (or sometimes loads) out of the sides.

I know that using self leveler is the best way to avoid having to do this but i dont care what anyone says self levelling is so bloody difficult when it's a big area and going in and out of different rooms. (any tips on this would be nice by the way)

TJ