Hi everyone!! Please help!!!

[pashernate lover]

Hi folks!! Ive recently tiled my bathroom walls, shower etc... it admittedly took some doing as its the first time i tried my hand at it, it was a lot of 'trial and error' but the finish was excellent!!

Anyway i'm nearly finished tiling the floor but i've encountered a problem, how can i successfully cut tiles to fit around the sink pedestal and the toilet base?? i bought a tile saw but i can't perfect the curves and i'm at my wits end!!! Also, i'm tiling on wooden floorboards and i can only find a drab grey adhesive/grout so the wife isn't too keen on it, are there any alternatives available?? Sorry about the essay!! Cheers!!

 

[Leatherface]

Hi

First you would have a much nicer job if you could take out the sink & toilet and tile underneath. If not.......

1. - make a template out of cardboard or paper. Or buy a flexible ruler from WHSmith or axminster.com to mark out your cuts for pedestal etc. You need a 4 inch angle grinder and a decent blade - eg Marcrist - from Tradetiler.com Home to cut these curves. Need a steady hand. Use nibblers and a tile file to finish off nicely.
2. You would be better off tiling onto the floor after over-boarding with at least 9mm plywood. If not - make sure floorboards are well secured and use a 2 part flexi adhesive - ie cement based with a latex additive instead of water.
3. Most good tile shops will have a range of grouts in many colours - adhesive and grout in one is crap ? Also your grout needs to be flexible

 

[Varley]

You really should have put ply down before you tiled, there is a lot of movement in floorboards and even a good flexi adhesive will struggle to cope with the movement. Don't use the adhesive as grout, even if it says that you can, as Leatherface says, they are crap, use cement based flexi/wide joint grout, they come in many colours.

 

[Leatherface]

Sorry - just to add -I have tiled numerous times straight onto floorboards in certain situations. Never had any comebacks - have made sure all boards secured. Use mapei flexible adhesive and latex instead of water. Would not say this is ideal - but if done correctly can work. Usually not large areas or high traffic - normally bathroom floors or cupboards.

 

[Concept PHT]

All good advice there Mr Lover

 

[anne0411]

Hi,

I heard from a plumber who tiles (say no more! but a good idea) use plumbers' soldering flex - it's flexible to create a good mould but stays in place until finished with.

On another note has anyone used BAL flexible adhesive? Never used it, but was told it had rubber (from ole tyres) in it and therefore v good?