Newbie floor tiling - Tips?

[Don]

Hi,

I'll be tiling a small (10sq m) utility over the weekend with 9mm cream porcelain floor tiles. The room has been leveled (3mm) and will have three days to dry. There is UFH in the room. I'll be using white flexi adhesive, 2mm spaces, a 9mm trowel and cream grout. I am hiring a wet saw.

So what do I need to look out for? I am very new to this only having done some wall tiling prior.

Do the tiles need to sealed at all?

Really appreciate it!

Don

 

[robbbin]

Some porelain needs sealing b4 grouting, check with supplier... spend time on setting out, it dependis on size of tile and shape of room for example if room is a rectangle or square start from centre. If room is odd shape look at the view of room and decide where your cuts are going to be Personally I try not to have any cuts less than half the size of tile im using

Best of luck

 

[david campbell]

as robbin says try and set it out first even try laying it dry(i.e all your tiles and cuts down on the floor b4 you even think about addy)take yor time and if it looks ok dry then go ahead and lay it

 

[Don]

Sounds like a good plan.

By the way am a mad considering cream grout for a utility room with an external door? Is light grey a better bet, even if it does not look as nice?

 

[david campbell]

wouldn't use it myself,i know the pebble colour from bal is in between grey and cream and looks nicer,not to sure on the mapei colour range for grouts though!maybe worth nipping into a local ctd or topps to find out!

 

[Deleted member 9966]

Sounds like a good plan.

By the way am a mad considering cream grout for a utility room with an external door? Is light grey a better bet, even if it does not look as nice?

I thought the same when we tiled our kitchen floor - one dog with mucky paws could ruin a really light shade of grout but our Topps sales assistant told us about grout sealer that can be painted on after the grout has dried to prevent dirt discolouring the grout. Worth looking round for something that will seal the grout and be hardwearing.

 

[medlar]

as long as you get your lines set properly,then you can just take it easy and lay your tiles at your own pace,dont be tempted to rush it,and make sure you use plenty of clean water for washing off

Jimmy

 

[doug boardley]

most pro's would use a rapid set flexi adhesive, but as you're relatively inexperienced I'd use a standard set flexi if I was you, affords you more time to get it nice and flat:yes:

 

[DHTiling]

Also check the commission time on the ufh before turning it on......it is usually around 7 days,,,then turn it on at it lowest setting and turning it up a couple degrees a day till full temp...then it's fine after that...

 

[Leatherface]

All sounds ok
One question - have you used a flexible self leveller ?

 

[Don]

All sounds ok
One question - have you used a flexible self leveller ?

Yes we have. I got professionals for that part!

One more question, I assume that I should lay all the tiles from the inside and work toward the walls, leaving all the cuts until the end?

Thanks for the tips everyone, really appreciate your experience. I'm looking forward to this!

 

[marke]

Hi Don,
Yeah good luck mate agree with all the posting on here, take your time , but preparation is the key, also i have recently been using a new aerosol sealant for grout on floors,
its been good so far and doesnt mark the tiles or anything , have a look out for it.

Happy Tiling
Mark