Help please fellas.

[ern]

Hello all, I need your advice again.

Got to put porcelane mosaics down on an aqua dec indoors, however the rest of the floor is going to be 40 x 40 porcelane tiles. Basically both tiles are the same but on is a 30 x30 mosaic sheet and the others are 40 x 40.

For the large tiles I was going to use a 1/2 inch U notch trowel and for the mosaics a 6 mm square notched. both tiles are the same thickness, 10 mm. Would this be correct. I want to ensure they all end up the same level.

Also, in the aqua dec, is there a particular way to finish around the hole before puting the grate on. WOuld appreciate any help.

THanks all, Ern.

 

[grumpygrouter]

Hi Ern, sorry you have not yet had a response to your query. I think the problem may be that if you use a 6mm notch you may find your levels will be different. Have you looked at broken link removed these are moasic spacing grids to lift mosaics to the same level as the field tiles. I know it says they are for walls but I am sure they would help for your floor. I have never used them myself, I may add!

As for finishing around your drain hole, why not give Tony at Wetdecs, sponsors of our forum, a PM, he is full of knowledge and I am sure he would give guidance.

 

[ern]

THanks for your help grumpy. Ill give Wetdecs a call as well. I presume a U notch 1/2 inch is ok for the 40 x 40 porcelaine.

Ern

 

[Gazzer]

THanks for your help grumpy. Ill give Wetdecs a call as well. I presume a U notch 1/2 inch is ok for the 40 x 40 porcelaine.

Ern

40mm x 40mm or 400mm x 400mm ?

 

[ern]

Hi SIr ramic. The tiles are 400 x 400mm. One other question I have is where the row of larger tiles meet the mosaics, does the space in between have to be the same as the spacing on the mosaic sheet, or can it be larger. I was going to use a 3 mm gap on the rest of the floor, which is not big, about 2m2. Obviously the spaing between the mosaics on the sheet is less than 3 mm.


Sorry if this is an obvious question but want to get things right.

Many thanks

Ern

 

[grumpygrouter]

I would have the spacing the same as the mosaic sheet myself but it may look wrong in your situation. Try doing a dry lay of the mosaics and tiles to see what it looks like first.

 

[ern]

THanks Grumpy, il do that, I guess there are no hard and fast rules when it comes to these things.

I checked the link you gave me and can see where the spacers would come in useful but in my case he mosaics and the larger tiles are the same height, basically same tile but one is on a mosaic sheet. Are there any special techniques to ensure it is all level or is it all in the trowel you use.

I was going to do the larger ones first and build up any difference in height with the mosaics but I am wary of t he falls within the aquadec. Perhaps a smaller trowel would be the answer on the bigger tiles ??

Cheers Ern

 

[grumpygrouter]

THanks Grumpy, il do that, I guess there are no hard and fast rules when it comes to these things.

I checked the link you gave me and can see where the spacers would come in useful but in my case he mosaics and the larger tiles are the same height, basically same tile but one is on a mosaic sheet. Are there any special techniques to ensure it is all level or is it all in the trowel you use.

I was going to do the larger ones first and build up any difference in height with the mosaics but I am wary of t he falls within the aquadec. Perhaps a smaller trowel would be the answer on the bigger tiles ??

Cheers Ern

This is not a good idea Ern. It is essential that you get full coverage on your tiles, a smaller notch trowel would compromise that. The problem you may have, which is why I suggested the spacers is that normally with mosaics you get a lot of adhesive sqeezing through to the front of the tile, using a smaller notch reduces this, but obviously this will give you a thinner adhesive bed in those areas and therefore your mosaics may sit a bit lower than your main tiles.

Your only option may be just being careful and use the half round trowel for it all to keep your bed depth but make sure you seat your mosaics carefully so they sit flush with your main tiles. Gently pushing the mosaics into place with a grout float will help.

 

[ern]

JUst seen your post Grumpy. Many thanks for the advice Ill let u no how we go.

Cheers Ern.

 

[andy-p]

ern .. fix large tiles first up to the aquadec, then skim the aquadec area with spf and sweeten up to the edge of tiles the correct height for the mosaics plus adhesive bed , take your time as you want to ensure no dips or you will get ponding, heres a pic of one i did recently...

 

[ern]

Cheers Andy -p. I was going to do the bigun's first for that reason.

In the photo you attached I noticed the space you left around the hole, presumabley this is the same size as the grate which is to finish flush with tile. I have been advised to pack out the area under the grate with grout, is this what you did ?

Also, what grout did you use on the aquadec? Cheers Ern.

 

[andy-p]

ern .. the drain comes with a plastic sleeve which slots together , you should have instructions with the kit , sit the drain in situ and cut your mosaics round it leaving a grout gap , dont glue until tiles are set , i never packed with grout , but if in doubt give impey a bell and they will advise,
finally i used mapeis ultracolour grout , remember and Silicon the internal joints as well..

 

[Saltire69]

I did one a couple of months ago but i did it the opposite way. I made sure the Tuff 2 board was just sittng about 3-4mm higher than the floor and tiled the mosiacs 1st,thus keeping the falls correct(used 4mm notched trowel to get 100% coverage on the mosiacs,clean joints with small paint brush). The extra 3-4mm helped with the larger tiles. Just found this easier as i was worried about ponding.

 

[ern]

THanks for the advice guys. This is the first Aquadec I have done and tried to follow the installation instructions to the letter but having done this one and with some further experience I will take your idea on board Saltire 69. Also many thanks to you Andy -P Ill take my time and hopefully things will work out. WIll let you know.

When you say "sweeten up" i presume you mean to float the correct height of the adhesive to the large tiles.

Cheers Ern.

 

[andy-p]

"sweeten up" means gradually tapering up to the required height, saltires way sounds a good idea as well .. good luck ern , take your time in the prep and you will be ok..