Tile spacers.

[Colour Republic]

i also am aware of the different thickness's from front to back of spacer and tend not to use these spacers.The problem with these spacers is obvious..when you push them in there is a chance of slight movement and possible debonding of tile and grout line moving..well thats all i can see problematic.Each to their own.imo.

Cheers Bri, when you say push them in, do you mean before or after addy has gone off? I think you mean after as this might debond the tile as you say.

When I lay the tile i push the spacer to the back as I go not after the addy has set, this is why i can't remove them with out a lot of grief because the addy has hold of my spacer and refuses to give it me back. So i have more chance of debonding the tile just by trying to remove the spacers.

Are you guys taught to place the spacer at the front of the tile so it's easier to remove after?

 

[grumpygrouter]

Cheers Bri, when you say push them in, do you mean before or after addy has gone off? I think you mean after as this might debond the tile as you say.

When I lay the tile i push the spacer to the back as I go not after the addy has set, this is why i can't remove them with out a lot of grief because the addy has hold of my spacer and refuses to give it me back. So i have more chance of debonding the tile just by trying to remove the spacers.

Are you guys taught to place the spacer at the front of the tile so it's easier to remove after?

I was taught always to push them to the back of the tile as this is where the mould dimensions are taken from and therefore the tiles should be more consistant measurement wise on the back...unless they are rectified of course.

 

[Eddie]

I use + spacers, but only push one leg of the spacer into the joint. I use a lot of them, but can remove them easily, and re-use. I've never had any probs.

 

[Colour Republic]

I was taught always to push them to the back of the tile as this is where the mould dimensions are taken from and therefore the tiles should be more consistant measurement wise on the back...unless they are rectified of course.

Yeah that's what I said in my last post but didn't put it quite as well.

... push them right to the back of the tile as in some cases the shoulder of a tile can be as much as 1mm front to back but is in most cases at least 0.3mm.

This is what I do but that makes it very difficult to remove the spacers because they are stuck to the addy, but all you guys say you remove them so you must spend quite a bit of time removing them?

 

[brian c]

yes CR push them in before it sets otherwise if you use the said spacers then you might get probs if you push the spacers in at a later date.

 

[brian c]

A small implement such as a small screw driver can be used to remove the crosshead spacers,but be careful not to chip the tile edges.

 

[grumpygrouter]

Yeah that's what I said in my last post but didn't put it quite as well.

This is what I do but that it makes it very difficult to remove the spacers because they are stuck to the addy, but all you guys say you remove them so you must spend quite a bit of time removing them?

I remove them before the adhesive is fully set...once the tiles have stopped moving....This is why I use cement based adhesive all the time instead of bucket stuff, much easier to do stuff like this as the tiles tend to get to the initial "set" quicker but the stuff is still easier to clean off.

 

[Colour Republic]

I remove them before the adhesive is fully set...once the tiles have stopped moving....This is why I use cement based adhesive all the time instead of bucket stuff, much easier to do stuff like this as the tiles tend to get to the initial "set" quicker but the stuff is still easier to clean off.

ahhhhh now there lies the rub! I get it it now!

 

[grumpygrouter]

ahhhhh now there lies the rub! I get it it now!

LOL....bet you are glad you joined the forums now eh!!! :lol:

 

[Fred]

I use a little filling knife and every now & again whilst tiling use this to push then in deep. I get the odd one I miss though..........:mad2::lol:

 

[Perry]

Thats why i use model making matches they are easy to pull out don't chip the tiles can be squashed a little if you need to also ? do the plastic spacers stop expansion and may cause tenting thats one to ask the technical departments ete

 

[doug boardley]

I pull them with pliers, giving them a little wiggle first to loosen them, if they snap, I push them right back with a flat head screwdriver

 

[brundlefly]

i always remove using a hook blade for my stanley knife...easy

 

[Derry]

I leave them in unless it is obvious that they will show through the grout.

 

[mart08]

I like using pegs but if using + spacers then i always remove them