First White Limestone Job

[clipboard2008]

Hi All

Just been to quote my first Limestone job today, 19m2 in a Kitchen and 3m2 in a hallway

Tiles are 600x600x15mm, filled (no holes at all) square edge as well. Matt finish not polished, still dusty.

What do I need to be aware of when laying white Limestone?
How long would a job like this normally take you guys?
Customer would like 2mm spacers used but I think it's going to be too tight as the Limestone edges are not that great quality?

Floor in Kitchen is concrete screed and is as level as you could possibly want it
Floor in hallway will be a latex screed

Obviously I have to be extremely clean, but do I have to be careful with pencil marks, cleaning with water etc??

Also with regard to sealant, whats best to use, I've been using the Fila Honed/Tumbled Travertine & Marble Protector for my travertine. So I was hoping to use the Limestone one with this job, would it be ok?

Thanks all

 

[DHTiling]

You need to work very very clean.. Which limestone is it..?

 

[clipboard2008]

I've been to see it and all I can tell you really is as above, he couldn't tell me it's name I'm afraid

 

[DHTiling]

Ok..

Have you fixed stone before.. i know you say it is your first limestone one but have you fixed stone before..?

 

[clipboard2008]

Dealt with Tumbled and Polished travertine before which wasn't really an issue, guess I'm just concerned about this due to the possibility of marking it?

 

[Ken Bruty]

With some Limestone, you have to wear clean gloves with to handle it, because the grease from your fingers can mark it if it's very pale. If I were you I would be thinking about sealing it before you do anyhting else with it, after removing the dust first of course. Also make sure your shoes are not black when you are stepping on it, as I had a plumber do some work on one of my jobs after I had fixed them, and his shoes put black marks on the surface, which were very difficult to remove, oh and keep grass off of it too if you're working outside, you'll never get the grass stains completely out if you squash a blade between 2 tiles.

 

[DHTiling]

As above depending on how pure white it is , depends on how you go about this..

Latex gloves and a light wipe down with a damp cloth rinsed regularly to remove surface dust.. most will accept several coats of sealer to saturate it enough to seal it.

But you want at least 2 to 3 coats before even go anywhere near it with grout.. and as Ken says you will need to have at least one coat before fixing.. always take extreme care with pure whites and charge the best rates for all the work involved..

 

[clipboard2008]

Will cutting it be similar to travertine, with it being very soft?
While cutting it can the water from the cutter stain the Limestone?
Do you think I will be able to use 2mm spacers?

Thanks for your help so far

 

[DHTiling]

It is wet cut yeat,, and withthe stone beiung white it doesn't get thta dirty to stain but is worth changing water often IMO..

And 2mm ok for walls yes.