Why You Should Waterproof

[MICK the Tiler]

Are those nails that I saw on the boards or screws?

Hi snipsnap,

They are screws I do use nails though just managed to leave them behind the other day If using nails just use a few more of them space them closer together.

 

[SnipSnap]

Hi snipsnap,

They are screws I do use nails though just managed to leave them behind the other day If using nails just use a few more of them space them closer together.

I never use nails... always use screws.
I have seen walls actually move in and out of their position. That happens when I open the bathroom door. It happens if the door has been fitted too tight (not enough gap at the bottom). When you open the door a little too fast, the walls move outwards and when closing it too fast, they move inwards. You can see the difference if you open the window in the room.

I don't know how many nails they put on the boards but some of the old tiles were coming off it. :yes:

 

[MICK the Tiler]

Well I woke up this morning to heavy rain, so my sand for the screed that was to go down today was completly waterlogged and useless until it drains out a bit.:furious3:
So instead I went to look at three more referral jobs today and as luck would have it they are all in the one street, I did one job in that street before xmas. A downstairs family room with bathroom laundry and kitchenette as well as a patio and a set of stairs about 120m2 all up. The owner has lived in the house for 30 odd years and is really well known in the street, so when the renovations were completed he had a party to show off all the nice work to the neighbours so before I left I handed him a fistful of buisness cards to hand out on my behalf, and true to form he has handed them all out and the phone started ringing with all his neighbours wanting new tiling work done. So a real bonus

So what started out as crap day has actually worked in my favour as the 3 jobs don't need to be quoted just get the usual "When can you start"

"When indeed"?

I will get back to the bathroom in progress on this thread on Monday to do the screed with pictures and a few helpful tips.

Cheers Mick.

 

[SnipSnap]

Good on you mate! :8:

 

[MICK the Tiler]

Well today (Monday) was a great looking day and a perfect start to do my screed.

I use what we call down here a medium washed river sand for our screeds mixed with gp (General purpose cement) to a ratio of 4:1 and mixed with enough water to make a stiff fairly dry mix. You should not have any excess water come up to the surface whilst screeding that would be too wet just enough water so the sand will pack down and hold together.

Pic 1 & 2 Show me priming the shower recess with a slurry of water and cement. This gives the screed some suck down and bite onto the waterproofing acting like a scratch coat.

Pic 3 & 4 Show the sand and cement mix being placed into the recess then the back wall is floated and levelled this is reapeated on all 4 sides of the recess then the middle is floated to the waste with an 8-10mm fall so the water runs to the drain.

Pic 5 & 6 show the other end of the bathroom with the screed sticks in place. Simply level the screed sticks add the mud and screed off to the height of the sticks so you get a nice level surface especially where the toilet and vanity are to be situated. Then once youv'e done about half a meter or so pull the screed sticks towards you and fill and float the troughs in the screed they leave behind. Your ready to start on the next section, keep repeating the process until you work your way out.

Pic 7& 8 show the finished screed. It took me about 3 hours to mix cart and screed this floor on my own. Allow to dry for at least 24 hours or longer before tiling.


If you have any querries or questions Just ask away and I'll do my best to point you in the right direction.

 

[SnipSnap]

Well today (Monday) was a great looking day and a perfect start to do my screed.

I use what we call down here a medium washed river sand for our screeds mixed with gp (General purpose cement) to a ratio of 4:1 and mixed with enough water to make a stiff fairly dry mix. You should not have any excess water come up to the surface whilst screeding that would be too wet just enough water so the sand will pack down and hold together.

Pic 1 & 2 Show me priming the shower recess with a slurry of water and cement. This gives the screed some suck down and bite onto the waterproofing acting like a scratch coat.

Pic 3 & 4 Show the sand and cement mix being placed into the recess then the back wall is floated and levelled this is reapeated on all 4 sides of the recess then the middle is floated to the waste with an 8-10mm fall so the water runs to the drain.

Pic 5 & 6 show the other end of the bathroom with the screed sticks in place. Simply level the screed sticks add the mud and screed off to the height of the sticks so you get a nice level surface especially where the toilet and vanity are to be situated. Then once youv'e done about half a meter or so pull the screed sticks towards you and fill and float the troughs in the screed they leave behind. Your ready to start on the next section, keep repeating the process until you work your way out.

Pic 7& 8 show the finished screed. It took me about 3 hours to mix cart and screed this floor on my own. Allow to dry for at least 24 hours or longer before tiling.


If you have any querries or questions Just ask away and I'll do my best to point you in the right direction.

Hey Mick, It looks good from here.

I havent done screed for a long time but I remember this particular swimming pool job where the guy that I worked for (great tiler), asked me to make mix with 3:1 washed and graded, medium coarse sand and cement but no water!

Instead we used Bal Bond (neat). Spreaded with a large tiling trowel as if was adhesive. The next day was ready for the first coat of render... Wow! I think that scratch coat could not be shifted even if you throw a hand granade. :59:

 

[MICK the Tiler]

You certainly won't beat that for a scratch coat Top Shelf.