First time tiling floor with porcelain - please advise

[Fekin]

What benefit does the rapid setting type adhesives give other than a faster setting time? For a newbie like myself, would it not be a safer bet to use a non-rapid setting adhesive to give me more time to work, or does that introduce problems of another kind?

Rapidset is only used when you want the adhesive to set faster than a normal standard cement based adhesive, so if you think you might not be tiling quick enough then stick to a normal flexi cement based adhesive.

For porcelain tiles on concrete floors I use either Bal rapidset or Bal goldstar.

 

[muffinman]

one part flexy give you the sucksion with porc, as it is porus , if not porus it will still cover your back , sorry about the name (graham)lol when mixing up do half a bucket , you will have two hours to work with .

 

[DHTiling]

Hi alanb......you will be ok with BAL rapid-set on porcelain tiles..it has porcelbond technology so no probs using it on concrete.....you will however need to use a flexible grout as unmodified grout will not adhere to the porcelain tiles edges....Only through bodied porcelain tiles ( polished or mat finish) need sealing..make sure you use one suitable for porcelain as not all impregnators are.....one coat will suffice and wipe any residue off before it totally dries as it will you will not be able to remove it after....as for the two coat method.. this is simply floor trowel spreading and tile backskim.....if you use a solid bed trowel and lightly backbutter you will get max contact with tile and floor.....

good luck.........

 

[muffinman]

ALL WAYS PRIME NO MATTER WHAT just to be on the safe side acillic

 

[Raja]

Hi Alan i have tiled a few small floors with porcelain tiles from italy as i have close friend who is italian and buys everything imported from italy wen i did his floor used Bal GOLD STAR adhesive for the concrete floor and then tiled as normally would do. The tiles can be a little hard to cut but as no special extra work is required. As for trowel sizes i personally use a 10mm notched left handed one.

 

[GatesheadCol]

Hi Alan,

Ive just done a floor in simiolar tiles, porcelain, didnt need sealing as were glazed. As said before, mix only half buckets full of addy at a time.

Im relatively new to this game and managed this in 30 mintes using Bal Rapid Set white addy with porcel bond.

Use a 10mm whell on a dry cutter, score once and once only , very firmly and use a snap action to snap the tiles with the handle.

Take your time and post some pics when done.

p.s. mine was over under floor heating so had to be very careful

 

[alanb]

Thank you to you all for your generous advice. I'm now a lot more confident that I can get this job done with no major worries. The main point that is coming through strongly from this is that everyone has their own preferred methods, techniques and materials. There seems to be a consensus of opinion on issues such as sealing polished porcelain but differing opinions on others such as to prime or not to prime, adhesive type and trowel type.

So, in summary, I will:
- prime the concrete (to be on the safe side),
- use a thick bed solid bed trowel,
- lightly back-butter,
- use a flexible grout
- and seal appropriately with an impregnator seal for use with porcelain

I think that's just about got all bases covered, oh except do I use BAL Rapidset or BAL Repidset Flexible? That decision might just be down to cost.

Again, I appreciate all the advice offered, and I'm truly staggered by the generosity displayed - thank you all.
----
GatesheadCol, thanks for your advice. How did you cut the corners around the doorway etc, I presume you used an electric wet cutter?

 

[GatesheadCol]

Yes mate I used a wet cutter. Went through 2 blades doing both the bathrooms too as they were really hard porcelain tiles.

To prime or not to prime.

Cant hurt if you prime and its not needed, so might as well to be sure.

Good luck and post some pics