Travertine and adhesive?

[Gustyturbine]

Charlie1,
I agree. My problem is that the 2 prof tilers that have quoted for the work have both said that trav on chipboard with flex adhesive is OK!!!!! No confidence in them now. I will need to shop around a bit more. Anyone know of a good tiler in the Aberaeron area? I did think my quotes where quite high. Do large open room cost less to tile than awkward bathrooms? Does anyone travel for work?
Gusty.

 

[Rich]

If you send a private message to Dave, he might be able to help you find a good tiler in your area

 

[White Room]

You can do a new post here I'm Looking for a Wall and Floor Tiler

 

[DHTiling]

I don't know anyone in that area.. though quite a few guys will travel.

 

[Gustyturbine]

Thanks all. If anyone is interested in the work then I could email my plans through to you. Just forward your details?
Gusty.

 

[Gustyturbine]

Hi again,
I have just been jumping up and down on my bathroom floors (14 stone just after dinner). I do not think I get any deflection as such. If I put a glass of water down I just get a small ripple. I would imagine that if I fitted a decoupling membrane I might be ok, what do the experts feel?
Gusty.

 

[Rich]

Always a good idea to use a decoupling membrane although it will not sort out any deflection in the floor, the floor must be solid before the membrane goes down.

 

[grumpygrouter]

If you are only getting a small ripple in the glass of water then you have a pretty solid floor. As you plan to use travertine then a decoupling membrane is a must for me, oh and overboard your chipboard with 6mm hardie or similar first.

 

[Gustyturbine]

Thanks Grumpygrouter. I guess you mean hardboard @6mm? What is a decoupling membrane like to fit? I honestly feel the floor is stiff enough but I do not want any future problems. If a decoupling membrane will help then I will fit 1 for sure. what makes are best or are they all similar? Thanks again,
Gusty.

 

[Gazzer]

No not Hardboard !!... Hardiebacker board ( cement tile backer boards)

 

[Gustyturbine]

Sorry Sir Ramic but I am laughing my backside off at my hardboard question!!!!. I will look into these boards as I have never heard of them before. Thanks.

 

[Gustyturbine]

So do you fit these boards instead of a decoupling membrane? It looks like the main point of these boards is to give a sound surface to lay tiles on? Gusty.

 

[Rich]

Thats right, have a read through the link below, might give a bit more info on the backer boards. As said above the decoupling membrane allows the floor to expand and contract at different rates to the stone and the backer boards give a brilliant surface to tile onto, neither will add any strength to the floor but will help make the installation last.


[h=3]Plywood floors...[/h]

 

[Gustyturbine]

Rich,
Many thanks for the info. So if I was to fit these Hardiebacker boards or similar cement boards with Bal flexible adhesive and Bal grout I might be OK? Would you take any other precautions?
Gusty.

 

[Rich]

Rich,
Many thanks for the info. So if I was to fit these Hardiebacker boards or similar cement boards with Bal flexible adhesive and Bal grout I might be OK? Would you take any other precautions?
Gusty.

Bal adhesive will be fine, I use Mapei products and couldn't recommend them enough. If there is a tile giant near you I would have a chat with them as you may get a better price. Have a look through the link below and see where the nearest store is.


[h=3]Mapei: Tile Giant Store Finder...[/h]


Here is some info on Hardiebacker boards. Just be aware that if you use another brand then the installation methods may change, make sure that you read through the instructions and follow them to the letter. As long as you have the floor deflection free (sounds like you have) and you use the right materials (sounds like you are) and follow the manufacturers instructions, you should be fine.


[h=3]HardieBacker...[/h]


You say that you have tiled before but only with ceramics, there are a few differences with using stone. After you have fitted the cement boards and the uncoupling membrane, you will need to fill the holes in the uncoupling membrane with adhesive using the flat side of your trowel, then spread the adhesive with a half moon trowel. Then you need to "back butter" the back of each tile with adhesive with the back of your trowel (in the same way as the un coupling membrane) and then press the tile into the bed of adhesive with a twisting motion. It is very important to make sure that there are no voids under the tiles. You will need to work very clean as stone is easily stained, keep a bucket of clean water next to you and clean off any adhesive straight away.
Might be worth doing a search on here and having a read through some threads related to tiling with stone