Uneven Bathroom Floor

[andyos]

Hi Guys, I'm new to the forum so please be patient! I need some advice on preparing my bathroom floor (4ms) ready for laying Travertine tiles. The floor is 18mm t&g but there's a bump running across the width of the room where a joist is sat on top of a steel beam...it raises the level by 10mm over a distance of about 50mm either side of the joist if that makes sense.

I guess I can't change the height of the joist, so is it best to raise the lower levels of the floor to the peak of the bump with self levelling compound then board over, or to rip up the t&g and replace with 25mm ply which I could cut over the joist dropping the level? Given the Travertine tiles are quite thick, I didn't really want to start raising the floor height by 20mm before even laying the tiles.

By the way, the original floor was boarded using 9mm ply either side of the bump and tiled with ceramic tiles without any problems for three years but I know the travertine tiles are a different kettle of fish.

Any thoughts will be much appreciated as this is starting to make my head hurt :mad2:

Cheers,

Andy

 

[protilers]

you should be able to just self level using a flexi leveling compound (like fibreplan)
straight over the t&g and tile straight onto that....ensure to prime the t&g first...
latex self level....then prime self level...use a primer not pva....
then the tiles should go down a treat....providing this approach will not give you too much height....

good luck!

 

[grumpygrouter]

Got to agree with Protilers here. easiest and probably best option would be a latex self leveller. Arditex is good and you can tile straight on top of it after 4 hours. Is the floor rigid? no point in levelling if there is movement!

Grumpy

 

[DHTiling]

Got to agree with Protilers here. easiest and probably best option would be a latex self leveller. Arditex is good and you can tile straight on top of it after 4 hours. Is the floor rigid? no point in levelling if there is movement!

Grumpy

When using arditex thicker than 3mm i would leave it alot longer than that...also setting time depends on temp and thickness....i always leave it over night to make sure it has gained plenty strength as well....


Andy.
You could also screw thinner ply to the low spots and this will reduce the amount of arditex to be used.....make sure the floor is solid as well before levelling...

 

[grumpygrouter]

When using arditex thicker than 3mm i would leave it alot longer than that...also setting time depends on temp and thickness....i always leave it over night to make sure it has gained plenty strength as well....


Andy.
You could also screw thinner ply to the low spots and this will reduce the amount of arditex to be used.....make sure the floor is solid as well before levelling...

You are right of course Dave, 3mm for 4 hours to tile. I usually leave it to settle overnight as well.

Grumpy

 

[protilers]

agree with all the above.....however fiberplan will go to 10mm in one hit......i would also leave over night....check this out.....

broken link removed


as a bonus its single part......just add water and whisk.........lovely jubbley:hurray:

 

[CJ]

As its a small room........you could remove T&G floorboards and level off the joists to the highest point.......then reboard in 18mm or 25mm ply.

Best if room is cleared :yes: :yes: :yes:

 

[andyos]

Cheers guys for all the responses, after taking the bath & toilet out, it seems simpler to pull up the t&g and reboard with 25mm ply. I'll put some extra noggins in whilst I'm at it. I don't think my mrs thought a simple re tile would turn into a building project

If I use 25mm ply, can I just prime it and lay the travertine tiles straight onto it? If so, which adhesive would I need?

 

[grumpygrouter]

You will need something very flexible, try BAL fastflex (2 part) or Ardexflex 7001. Both designed to straight on to wooden flooring, use the white versions of both. Flexible grout or normal grout with a latex additive. Ardex C2 with E101 is very good but don't leave it to set for tool ong before you clean off. You will need to seal your travertine - certainly before grouting and maybe before laying.

Grumpy