Laying that first tile

[rsb123]

OK, I know the concept is "don't lay the first tile until you know where the last one will end up", so when I've worked out all the measurements to make sure there will be no slivers of tile, are these the correct first steps (I'm starting to tile over a bath):

(After wall prep/tanking etc)

1. Measure up from lip of bath 3mm (for sealant gap) + height of tile + 3mm (for spacer)
2. Attach a wood batten there and make sure it's dead level
3. lay first row of tiles along this batten
4. tile up to ceiling (I have no borders)
5. wait for adhesive to set and carefully remove batten
6. tile last row along top edge of bath
7. wait for adhesive on that row to set, then grout

This is for 300x450 travertine laid lengthwise in brick pattern and I know I've left out working clean, sealing before & after grout etc.

Thanks

 

[Gazzer]

Is the bath perfectly level ? they rarely are !

 

[rsb123]

Bath not fitted yet, but yes I get your point. I thought that was the whole reason for the batten: you know it's level so you can use it as a solid base to lay tiles. Then lay tiles along top of bath and deal with any irregularities at that point (without it disrupting the whole wall).

thanks

 

[DHTiling]

Bathes tend to have a slight canber on them, even if you use a batten for the bath to sit on the actual bath itself can bow slightly along it's length.. so allow for that

 

[Ian]

As already said, try not to come off the bath with a full tile, it very rarely works out.

 

[rsb123]

So, calculate about a half tile height coming off the bath, then add 3mm for grout line and 3mm for sealant along bottom and fasten batten to wall there? (after making sure tile along ceiling will also be at least 1/2 tile tall.)

thanks

 

[Ian]

It doesn't necessarily have to be half a tile it could be 3/4 or 4/5, just so long as it's not a whole one. Do whatever gives the best outcome to the job, ie, no small cuts to the ceiling , above doors/ windows etc.

 

[CDS]

I'm as per Bri's post - I'd certainly allow for a cut onto the bath. In the same way I wouldn't set out to get a full tile into the ceiling or down to the floor as more often then not they'll be out by a country mile!

 

[welshboy]

Hi there

 

[Sean Kelly]

Remember to look at the whole room. How will the window look when tiled? The last bathroom I did had sloping and curved ceilings. It took a lot of planning before the first tile went up. Do you have a laser level. Very handy for working out where to put your datum line. Good luck. Sean

 

[craigdon]

Be aware a 3mm gap off your bath for silicone could soon become 5mm once the weight of water and a person get in, so I wouldn't leave that size gap to the bath

 

[rsb123]

OK - even with 2.3mm steel bath?

How much gap along bath would you leave for sealant?

thanks

 

[craigdon]

Most baths settle once filled, I suggest you keep the cut nice and tight to the bath

 

[Rich]

I aim to leave a 2mm joint but as said above baths do have a habit of moving about.

To add to the good advice above, would be well worth doing a search and looking through a few threads about tiling with trav, there are a few things different to tiling with ceramics like the backs need to be filled. Good idea to arm yourself with as much knowledge before you start.