FIRST POST. FIRST "biggish" JOB. MARBLE.

[dilz000]

A warm welcome to everybody!

I've visited several times, but not had a reason to post. During the recession i lost my job and decided in a change of career, I did a 4 weeks tiling course in which I learned a huge deal, I had every intention of setting up self employed and starting from scratch... however, I was offered a job, and anybody with no income would be out of there mind to accept. So now, Im fairly settled in my new job, and the 4 on 4 off shift pattern leaves me spare time on my hands.

I've done a couple of small jobs for family, but now I have what I feel is quite a big job, I know its not for most of you, as some of the uploaded photos i've seen are amazing! Its for my Mum & Dad, hallway and bathroom floor, including UFH and they have decided on a Marble tile. I know that the toilet and sink need to come out, but I'm just wondering what else i need to know. Do i need to reseal the Marble once its been cut and laid down. Do I seal it before i grout. It was all covered on the course, but its a lot to cram in 4 weeks, and it was almost a year ago now.

Also if anybody around Cheshire area wants a dogs body a few days a week Id love to get more experience :]

 

[Bathfix Bob]

Welcome to the forum dilz000, I'm glad to hear you've found another job.

I wont comment on the marbe myself though as others have better advice.

 

[tfs]

you may already know that you will need white adhesive if tiles are light in colour. If you can work clean you can seal once tiles are down. For peice of mind though it is best to seal prior to having adhesive or grout anywhere near stone tiles.

Ensure that you sub floor is solid

If budget permits use and s2 adhesive, its usualy more cost effective to use a two part adhesive such as Keeraquick with latex plus to increase to s2 classification.

Skim back of all tiles

Try to keep the grout colour subtle to blend with the marble (my own prefference)

Wet cutter and grinder job

Get some diamond hole cutters for pipe etc (unless you can sett out in such away that two tile meet at pipes)

Clean stone with a diluted mix of cleaner such as Grimex by LTP prior to sealing

Seal more than once if required (at least twice)

Try to keep vulnerable tiles for cuts at edges (veigns and blemmishes etc)

Check coverage at regular intervals by lifting the odd tile as you go.

Work as clean as you can (clean as you go is good practice)

PLAN OUT WELL, TAKE AS LONG AS NEED WHEN SETTING OUT TO AVOID ANY MISTAKES.

 

[DHTiling]

Welcome. i will move this to the stone tiling forum.

 

[tommyzooom]

Welcome, all good advice above. not much else to add except good luck, and let us all know how you get on, with pictures too

 

[dilz000]

Thankyou guys your advice is very welcomed :]

 

[White Room]

Hi and welcome

 

[badger]

Make sure to take your time when laying marble.I sometimes use a slow set adhesive for marble if you can keep foot traffic off it overnight.

Good luck

 

[dilz000]

Hi guys, Im just in the process of ordering all my adhesives ect, is there a site that you could recommend from personal exp?

On a quick read the Keraquick sounds good, and I have read that its curing/dry time is longer than others, which for me, on this job, sounds like a good idea. Is the latex additive definatly worth the extra cost?

I've also another question on the sealer... Do I seal, and clean as I go, for example, wet cut tile to size, wait for tile to dry, clean and apply sealer to face and edges? and then fit. Does that sound correct, or do i not need to seal until after the floor has been laid? The tiles that will be used are...

Lemon Marble Wall/Floor Tile - Marble - Natural Stone

Again looking forward to your response's, thank you!!

 

[diamondtiling]

Work cleanly, wipe any adhesive from the tile face as you go. When everything is laid seal the tiles then grout. Seal again when the grout is dry. I would use a one part flexible adhesive if its a concrete floor.

 

[dilz000]

Thankyou buddy, that makes more sence, I was thinking it was going to take forever the otherway round, and as I work cleanly I'm sure everything will be fine.

I've seen your van around, I only live in Sandbach. I hope that work is going well for you & if you ever need a dogs body...

 

[dilz000]

I've had my first look at the tiles today & started organizing them into cuts ect. They are quite nice, but some of them are 1-2mm thicker than others, I plan on back buttering them to bring them level, is this ok? I also plan on a 2mm grout line, can anyone see any problems with this?

 

[diamondtiling]

Use the thickest first and work down to the thinner ones, a 2mm line is fine so long as all the tiles are the same size and you feel confident of maintaining the grout line, check the tiles for size first.

 

[Dan]

3mm minimum for floors aint it? Or is it different for marble?

 

[badger]

I always go 2 mm for floors.

If your confident with a 2mm joint go for it.
if not, maybe set a few out for your parents showing a 3mm joint and if you get their approval, you're sorted.
Good luck