Tiling floor preparation

[ash2710]

We've had a builder prepare the kitchen floor ready for tiling which he will be doing

The kitchen is empty with the skirting all removed

The tiles will either be ceramic or porcelain tiles

The kitchen is a part suspended timber floor with floorboards which has little to no bounce/movement and the other half of the kitchen is a concrete floor.

He has has carried out the following work so far as per the works schedule he has provided

- Applied BAL SBR Bond to all the faces of the plywood including sides, 2 coats

- 5.5mm plywood with staggered joints laid down using 4 x 40mm screws at every 100 to 150mm centres

On the concrete side he has stated no preparation is required

He has advised he'll be using an S1 or S2 flexible floor adhesive

For peace of mind can anyone tell me what he is doing is correct

 

[J Sid]

God oh god why use a builder, why, why oh why

Stop him, it will need redoing

5.5mm ply no NO NO

 

[ash2710]

God oh god why use a builder, why, why oh why

Stop him, it will need redoing

5.5mm ply no NO NO

Oh dear seriously! The plywood has been laid down!

The complete house needs renovating and this is one of the jobs that he is undertaking

 

[J Sid]

Seriously, YES YES YES

would you let him do the plumbing, I hope no
Would you let him do your electrics, I hope not

So why tiles?

 

[Dumbo]

Yes seriously .
View it this way , you're happy to let a builder tile but would you be happy to let a tiler renovate your house .

 

[ash2710]

The house requires considerable work, some of the jobs he's sub contracted out to other contractors whereas the tiling he said he could do and has done many times previously
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I presume the fact that he has used plywood is wrong? Has he done anything else incorrectly?

 

[Dumbo]

I'm not getting funny with you just trying to make a point .
This builder see' s other trades as specialist that he needs to subcontract out but not tiling because anybody can do it , and you must agree because you're letting him , but you had doubts straight away or you wouldn't be here . I'm getting mixed messages .

 

[ash2710]

I'm not getting funny with you just trying to make a point .
This builder see' s other trades as specialist that he needs to subcontract out but not tiling because anybody can do it , and you must agree because you're letting him , but you had doubts straight away or you wouldn't be here . I'm getting mixed messages .

I understand and totally see where you are coming from, it's only after he fitted the plywood where I was doubting whether it was correct as it was quite flimsy, however as he's screwed it down every 150mm it seems pretty solid. But having said that from what I've been told here and researching its wrong

 

[Tony_C]

Has he mentioned his plan of action where to the two different substrates meet? 🤔

 

[ash2710]

Has he mentioned his plan of action where to the two different substrates meet? 🤔

Yep he mentioned fitting an expansion joint between the solid and timber floor
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I will speak to him tomorrow, could someone kindly outline the steps and correct materials required to undertake this correctly

 

[Dumbo]

Let me just put this out there .
British standard minimum thickness for plywood overlay is 15mm . Glued and screwed every 150 mm

 

[ash2710]

Let me just put this out there .
British standard minimum thickness for plywood overlay is 15mm . Glued and screwed every 150 mm

Is cement board the same as Hardie backer or no more ply? Will 6mm cement board be ok? Could this be placed over the 6mm plywood or would he need to remove that?

What is the process in fixing the 6mm cement board to the suspended floor?

 

[Dave]

Is cement board the same as Hardie backer or no more ply? Will 6mm cement board be ok? Could this be placed over the 6mm plywood or would he need to remove that?

What is the process in fixing the 6mm cement board to the suspended floor?

morning.
take up the plywood and replace with 6mm hardibacker boards , this in turn goes down on a serrated bed of tile adhesive and screwed down at 200mm intervals.
if there is a height difference to the concrete part, then the concrete section needs levelling to suit.
expansion should be installed at the transition where the substrates change and jf possible, a full tile either side for aesthetics if the setting out allows that.
another worry though is do this “builder” even know how to tile correctly if he doesnt even know the basics of preparation?? , I’d be very very sceptical

 

[ash2710]

morning.
take up the plywood and replace with 6mm hardibacker boards , this in turn goes down on a serrated bed of tile adhesive and screwed down at 200mm intervals.
if there is a height difference to the concrete part, then the concrete section needs levelling to suit.
expansion should be installed at the transition where the substrates change and jf possible, a full tile either side for aesthetics if the setting out allows that.
another worry though is do this “builder” even know how to tile correctly if he doesnt even know the basics of preparation?? , I’d be very very sceptical

Good news! The plywood will be ripped up and replaced with 6mm tile backer

Can any type of adhesive be used to secure the boards?

Do the boards need to be primed with Bal sbr bond?

 

[Tony_C]

If its hardiebacker board then any cement based adhesive to secure it down, it should be laid in a brick bond and also scrim taped and sealed with the appropriate tape. No need to prime if it's hardie as per manual, some may.