tips for laying slate

[new tiler]

Hi everyone.

hi i wondered if anyone can give me any tips on laying a slate floor i have done ceramic floors but no slate yet, and am quite worried due to lack of confidence, i do have some questions if anyone would be kind enough to answer, ok i think i wont be able to use my rubi as i think slate splinters so ill use my wet cutter also after laying floor how long do i have to leave it untill sealing and do i lay, seal, grout, or lay, grout, seal, also after sealing can i grout straight after have read a few conflicting posts but i guess people do things a bit different so thanks guys

 

[Time's Ran Out]

Re: any tips for laying slate floor

Hi - The laying of the slate is the easy part - you should tell us first what area you are tiling and your surface & preparation.
You will need your wet cutter.
I fix, seal, grout, and seal agan.
What type of slate is it .

 

[new tiler]

Re: any tips for laying slate floor

Thanks tj im laying it in a kitchen and small hallway on concrete floor not really sure what the slate is as my client has just told me the price is was when she went down so got to cheak out what she really wants before i buy it, i was also wondering if i should hose the tiles down to clean any dust off prior to laying, how long would you leave it before sealing as the slate would be wet from cleaning..

 

[Time's Ran Out]

Re: any tips for laying slate floor

When you collate the tiles into good/indifferent/bad and based on thickness/colour/quality thats when I normally take a sponge just to wipe any muck off the 2 sides. I wouldn't go overboard with the water as it could be retained in the slate and affect the adhesive.
When you've finished all the tiling or part depending on area and your speed, clean down that day and it will be ready to seal the next day but try and tile as dry and clean as possible or you will not be able to seal the tiles till they are dry.
Based on her price for the slate and where she bought it from, you should be able to tell its quality. Calibrated is best for fixing but it sometimes can lack a bit of colour.

 

[doug boardley]

Re: any tips for laying slate floor

with slate I tend to seal,lay, grout and seal again. I make sure slates are free from transportation scuffs and bone dry before I seal them.

 

[DHTiling]

Hello and welcome.....i see you are being looked after...

 

[new tiler]

Yes thanks allways find people very helpfull allways quick to offer there advice would love to know how to gain that kind of experience, trouble is not too many people like to set on a 38 year old newbie cant blame them though will learn as i go with your help guys...

 

[new tiler]

Thanks i was thinking about cleaning then sealing before i lay them as i could grout them straight after then seal again after cleaning does anyone do it this way, also because of the difference in size i was thinking of starting with starting with the thickest at one end and grading down to the thinist as its going through a door to a small entrance way and not a very large kitchen, i have found out my client wants shera multicolour slate.

 

[White Room]

Thickest in the middle, thin ones at the edges or outside the main area

 

[Time's Ran Out]

If you clean them first that fine but you will not be able to seal them till they are dry! Catch 22.
Collate the tiles - Quality/thickness/colour.
If you can use all the thick pieces in one area without it affecting your overall blend of colours thats fine .
Don't forget you'll need plenty of adhesive for uncalibrated slate and I tend to use a fast set so it doesn't slump/draw the tile down as it sets.
Nice wide joint and IMO sandstone or sand & cement grout.

 

[turnip]

make sure that you get a good solid bed of adhesive under the slates, I pour the adhesive (like a sand+cement slurry) rather than use a notched trowel, so that I can be sure that the slate is fully supported underneath